Galaxy Proto-clusters as an Interface Between Structure, Cluster, and Galaxy Formation

Tue, October 27, 2015

Proto-clusters, the ancestor large-scale structures of present-day galaxy clusters, are ideal laboratories to study dark matter assembly, cosmic baryon cycle, galaxy growth, and environmental impact on galaxy evolution. We extract LCDM predictions for the physical properties and observational signatures of galaxy proto-clusters as a function of time and cluster mass. I will talk about observation strategies and our ongoing efforts to search for and characterize z>~2 proto-clusters in photometric and spectroscopic galaxy surveys. I will discuss cluster progenitors in the context of cluster formation, galaxy evolution and cosmic star formation, highlighting their unique roles linking scales from large to small, and epochs form active star-formation to quenching.