WARPS-I: X-ray Catalog of Galaxy Clusters from ROSAT Observations

A catalog of 34 optically identified galaxy clusters discovered in a serendipitous X-ray survey of 86 ROSAT PSPC fields. The survey covers 16.2 square degrees and includes a complete, statistically well-defined sample of 22 clusters from 14.1 square degrees. NASA HEASARC created this online catalog in May 2003 based on tables from Perlman et al. (2002).

Use Cases

• Study the evolution of galaxy clusters based on redshift range (0.06<z<0.75).
• Analyze X-ray source properties using the Voronoi Tessellation and Percolation (VTP) detection algorithm.
• Constrain cosmological parameters using the complete, flux-limited sample of 22 clusters.

Strengths

• Uses a detection algorithm (VTP) equally sensitive to point and extended low-surface-brightness sources.
• Provides a complete, statistically well-defined sample of 22 clusters with a defined flux limit.
• Based on 86 ROSAT PSPC fields covering a significant area of 16.2 square degrees.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data is from 2002-2003; newer surveys may offer more recent observations.

Provenance

Source

NASA HEASARC, based on tables from Perlman et al. (2002) obtained from the CDS.

Collection Method

Serendipitous survey of pointed ROSAT observations using the VTP source detection algorithm, followed by optical identification.

Time Range

Observational period of the ROSAT mission, with catalog publication in 2002.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 20:02:01.134382; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Extragalactic sky survey covering 16.2 square degrees.