Groups and Clusters of Galaxies at the Crossroad between Astrophysics and Cosmology

Organizers:

Boris Bolliet, Cambridge University
Stefano Borgani, University of Trieste
Stefano Ettori, INAF – OAS Bologna
Elena Pierpaoli, University of Southern California

The study of galaxy clusters and groups, as the largest gravitationally-bound, dark matter-dominated structures formed in the universe, is expected to play a  crucial role in validating the standard cosmological model. Clusters will shed light on current tensions in the estimate of cosmological parameters, in a way which is complementary to other cosmological probes.

Ongoing and forthcoming surveys in the optical, infrared, X-ray and microwave bands will reach unprecedented sensitivity, allowing for the detection of  smaller and more distant objects, and therefore yielding a larger and more diverse data set.

In order to better interpret these objects within the current cosmological scenario, there is an urgent need for a better understanding of the physical processes driving formation and evolution of galaxy clusters and groups. Motivated by this fact, observers and theorists are developing new ways to study galaxy clusters at different wavelengths and use them as a precise cosmological probe.

The workshop will focus on the aspects at the interface between astrophysics and cosmology of galaxy clusters and groups, bringing together specialists in various areas of cluster studies: theoretical/numerical modeling, observations of the galaxy population and of the intra-cluster medium,  cosmology, and data analysis/inference methods.  Specific topics of discussion will include:

• The physical components of galaxy clusters and their interactions;
• The statistical description of the clusters’ physical properties;
• Galaxy clusters’ simulations;
• Galaxy clusters’ detection;
• Cosmology with galaxy clusters.