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I. K. Soechting (University of Oxford, UK), R. G. Clowes (University of Central Lancashire, UK), M. E. Huber (University of British Columbia, Ca), S. B. Howell (WIYN Observatory and National Optical Astronomy Observatory)
We describe a large sample of 598 galaxy clusters and rich groups discovered in the data of the Faint Sky Variability Survey. The clusters have been identified using a fully automated, semi-parametric technique based on a maximum likelihood approach applied to Voronoi tessellation, and enhanced by colour discrimination. The sample covers a wide range of richness, has a density of ~28 clusters deg-2, and spans a range of estimated redshifts of 0.05 < z < 0.9 with mean z = 0.345. Assuming the presence of a cluster red sequence, the uncertainty of the estimated cluster redshifts is assessed to be < 0.05. Containing over 100 clusters with z > 0.6, the catalogue contributes substantially to the current total of optically-selected, intermediate-redshift clusters, and complements the existing, usually X-ray selected, samples. The FSVS fields are accessible for observation throughout the whole year making them particularly suited for large follow-up programmes. We present here the combined properties of the cluster sample derived from the cluster basic parameters, and discuss some illustrative examples in more detail. The full catalogue of clusters, together with images and lists of member galaxies etc., will be a part of the NOAO data products and accessable at http://www.noao.edu/dpp/. We describe the format of these data and access to them.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 35#5
© 2003. The American Astronomical Soceity.