Einstein Observatory Catalog of 368 Galaxy Clusters with X-Ray Characteristics

368 clusters of galaxies with redshifts less than 0.2 were observed with the Einstein Imaging Proportional Counter (IPC). The catalog presents X-ray characteristics including counting rates, source and bolometric luminosities, and for many clusters, surface brightness profiles, core radii, gas densities, and mass estimates. This table was created by NASA's HEASARC in June 2005 based on merged source tables.

Use Cases

• Analyze the relationship between X-ray luminosity and cluster redshift based on the measured 0.5-4.5 keV source luminosity.
• Model intracluster gas density and mass profiles based on derived core radii and beta values.
• Estimate total cluster masses under assumptions of isothermal gas and hydrostatic equilibrium based on gas temperatures and density profiles.
• Study the detection efficiency of optically selected clusters based on the 85% detection rate of Abell clusters with z < 0.1.

Strengths

• Includes 368 galaxy clusters, providing a substantial sample for analysis.
• Contains derived physical parameters for many clusters, including core radii for 163 clusters and gas properties for about 230 clusters.
• Demonstrates a high (85%) X-ray detection rate for nearby Abell clusters, validating the optical selection method.

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data may reflect temporal bias inherent to the Einstein Observatory mission era.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC).

Collection Method

Observations from the Einstein Observatory Imaging Proportional Counter (IPC), with derived parameters computed by the authors.

Time Range

Observations from the Einstein Observatory mission period.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 18:19:03.638231; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Extragalactic; clusters have redshifts less than 0.2.