Observing galaxy clusters and the cosmic web through the Sunyaev Zel’dovich effect with MISTRAL

¹ Sapienza University of Rome, Physics Department, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy
² INAF-IAPS, Via Fosso de Cavaliere, 100. I-00133, Rome, Italy
³ INFN-Sezione di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185, Rome, Italy
⁴ INAF-Istituto di Radioastronomia - Via P. Gobetti, 101, I-40129 Bologna, Italy
⁵ INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Cagliari, Via della Scienza 5, I-09047 Selargius (CA), Italy
⁶ Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie - CNR, Via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, I-00133 Rome, Italy

^* e-mail: elia.battistelli@roma1.infn.it

Published online: 28 March 2024

Abstract

Galaxy clusters and surrounding medium, can be studied using X-ray bremsstrahlung emission and Sunyaev Zel’dovich (SZ) effect. Both astrophysical probes, sample the same environment with different parameters dependance. The SZ effect is relatively more sensitive in low density environments and thus is useful to study the filamentary structures of the cosmic web. In addition, observations of the matter distribution require high angular resolution in order to be able to map the matter distribution within and around galaxy clusters. MISTRAL is a camera working at 90GHz which, once coupled to the Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT), can reach 12″ angular resolution over 4′ field of view (f.o.v.). The forecasted sensitivity drives to a Noise Equivalent Flux Density of ≃ 10–15 mJy √s and the mapping speed is MS = 380′² mJy⁻² h⁻¹. MISTRAL was recently installed at the focus of the SRT and soon will take its first photons.