Dr. Lori Lubin
University of California, Davis
4:15-5:15 Tuesday
April 8,
2003
Abstract
Clusters of galaxies provide a powerful probe of the nature of galaxy formation and the origin of structure in the Universe. Using a variety of techniques, including optical, X-ray and weak lensing selections, clusters of galaxies can now be routinely detected at redshifts up to 1 and even beyond. In this talk, I will review the current observational data on massive clusters at redshifts of z < 1. The global cluster properties, such as number density, dynamics, and luminosity, will be presented in the context of cluster formation timescales and evolutionary histories. In addition, I will examine the cluster galaxy populations, focusing on their colors, spectral characteristics, ages, and morphological classifications. I will discuss the implications of these data on the evolution of the cluster galaxies, the origin of galaxy morphologies, and the process of cluster formation from z = 1 to the present.