Abstract:
The Red-Sequence Cluster Survey (RCS2) is a 1000-square-degree, multi-color imaging survey carried out using MegaCam on the 3.6m CFH-Telescope. It is optimized for the search of galaxy clusters out to redshift~1 using the red-sequence method. Designed to create a well-characterized, large sample of clusters, the survey has the main goals of constraining cosmological parameters using the cluster mass function, studying galaxy cluster/group evolution, and discovering a large sample of strong gravitational lenses. I will give a summary of the current status of the RCS2 survey, along with some recent results using both the RCS1, a 100 sq-deg precursor, and the RCS2. This includes a determination of the cosmological parameters Omega_m and sigma_8, the evolution of the cluster galaxy LF and star formation history for clusters up to z~0.9, the evolution of galaxy groups, and preliminary results on strong lensing statistics and their application to cosmology. I will also show some initial results from an extension of the RCS method to the near-IR using a combination of Spitzer 3.6um images and ground-based optical images to search for galaxy clusters at redshift greater than 1.
Coffee and tea will be served 20 minutes prior to the seminar