Dark matter dynamics in Abell 3827: New data consistent with standard cold dark matter

Richard Massey, David Harvey, Jori Liesenborgs, Johan Richard, Stuart Stach, Mark Swinbank, Peter Taylor, Liliya Williams, Douglas Clowe, Frédéric Courbin, Alastair Edge, Holger Israel, Mathilde Jauzac, Rémy Joseph, Eric Jullo, Thomas D. Kitching, Adrienne Leonard, Julian Merten, Daisuke Nagai, James NightingaleAndrew Robertson, Luis Javier Romualdez, Prasenjit Saha, Renske Smit, Sut Ieng Tam, Eric Tittley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present integral field spectroscopy of galaxy cluster Abell 3827, using Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA) and Very Large Telescope/Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer. It reveals an unusual configuration of strong gravitational lensing in the cluster core, with at least seven lensed images of a single background spiral galaxy. Lens modelling based on Hubble Space Telescope imaging had suggested that the dark matter associated with one of the cluster's central galaxies may be offset. The new spectroscopic data enable better subtraction of foreground light, and better identification of multiple background images. The inferred distribution of dark matter is consistent with being centred on the galaxies, as expected by Λ cold dark matter. Each galaxy's dark matter also appears to be symmetric. Whilst, we do not find an offset between mass and light (suggestive of self-interacting dark matter) as previously reported, the numerical simulations that have been performed to calibrate Abell 3827 indicate that offsets and asymmetry are still worth looking for in collisions with particular geometries. Meanwhile, ALMA proves exceptionally useful for strong lens image identifications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)669-677
Number of pages9
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume477
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 11 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Keywords

  • Astroparticle physics
  • Dark matter
  • Galaxies: Clusters: Individual: Abell 3827
  • Gravitational lensing: Strong

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