CLASH-VLT - The Largest Spectroscopic Survey of Massive Galaxy Clusters to Date: a new reference dataset for cosmology, galaxy evolution, and structure formation

• Applicant: Dr. Italo Balestra
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2014 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 257107252

We propose to exploit the largest multi-wavelength dataset of massive lensing clusters of galaxies to date, to obtain a major step forward in our understanding of the Universe, addressing fundamental questions such as: what is the nature of the fundamental constituents of the Universe, how did the large scale structure form and evolve, and how was the Universe enriched with metals? The unprecedented quality and quantity of data, the combination of state-of-the-art techniques for strong and weak lensing analysis and for the subtraction of the baryonic component from mass profiles of galaxy clusters, and the use of the upcoming new generation of instruments (i.e. at VLT and ALMA), will enable us: 1) to derive for the first time definitive dark matter mass profiles, providing the first meaningful test of the NFW prediction of universality of dark matter mass profile shapes; 2) to provide accurate mass calibration, fundamental for precision cosmology; 3) to obtain observational constraints on the physical mechanisms responsible for the metal enrichment of the intra-cluster medium; 4) to obtain solid constraints on star formation in the early Universe, possibly probing the still unexplored epoch of reionization.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Italy
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Piero Rosati; Dr. Stella Seitz