X-ray Clusters Revealed
Matter in the Universe is not evenly distributed but forms a cosmic web of filaments shaped by gravity, with galaxy clusters found at their intersections. Galaxy clusters are the largest bound entities in the Universe – they trace the highest density peaks in its large-scale structure, making them a powerful tool for answering questions about cosmology.
The XMM CLuster Archive Super Survey (X-CLASS) is an X-ray galaxy cluster search in the XMM-Newton Science Archive (XSA). The main goal of the survey is the compilation of a well-selected cluster sample suitable for cosmological analyses. The structure and evolution of the Universe is described by a set of cosmological parameters, which include the density of its various components and the rate that it is expanding. Currently, we know the value of many of these parameters fairly well, but large samples of cosmic tracers at a variety of distances are required to more accurately describe the underlying structure of the Universe.