4 March: Jessica Pilling

Speaker: Jessica Pilling (University of Sussex)

Date: Wednesday 4 March 2026

Time: 15:00

Location: Physics 3.29 Access Grid

Supporting Optical Galaxy Cluster Surveys with X-rays

In this talk, I will present recent work characterising the X-ray properties of galaxy clusters detected by XMM-Newton, eROSITA, and the Dark Energy Survey (DES). I will discuss the cross-calibration of X-ray temperatures and luminosities of clusters, facilitated by the open-source XGA and DAXA Python modules and applied here to eROSITA data for the first time. In the last third of the talk, I will share insights from my work on the commissioning team for 4MOST, ESO’s new upcoming spectroscopic survey instrument. Following the successful conclusion of 4MOST commissioning in late 2025, I will introduce the transformative cluster science this facility will enable. Finally, I will present preliminary work from a pilot study combining XMM and DESI data, showcasing the exciting scientific potential that X-ray - optical spectroscopy synergy offers.