Intracluster Light and the Evolution of Galaxy Clusters
Chris Mihos (Case)
The diffuse intracluster light (ICL) -- formed when stars are tidally
stripped from galaxies in clusters -- is proving to be a valuable tool
in studying the evolution of clusters and their member galaxies. Numerical
simulations show how the morphology and luminosity of the ICL evolves
with time, providing a dynamical "clock" for galaxy clusters. Observational
studies are also beginning to probe the properties of the diffuse ICL in
a variety of cluster environments. In the nearby Virgo cluster, our deep
wide-field imaging has revealed an intricate web of diffuse starlight that
clearly reflects the hierarchical nature of cluster assembly.