X-ray survey of clusters of galaxies

This thesis is an investigation of the x-ray properties of clusters of galaxies. The data were taken by the A-1 experiment aboard the HEAO 1 satellite in the 0.5 to 20 keV energy band. All clusters in both the Abell catalog and Duus and Newell southern cluster catalog were examined. An error box or an explicit upper limit was obtained for every cluster. The appendices present extensive lists of the survey results. A complete discussion of the reduction and analysis procedure is given. Supporting optical data (morphological classifications and redshifts) were obtained from the literature and included in the appendices. Each cluster in both catalogs has an estimated or measured redshift. Redshift measurements of cluster galaxies were obtained at Kitt Peak National Observatory. A complete description of these observations with the 2.1 meter telescope is given. A statistical subset of the Southern catalog was defined, making it possible to combine the Abell and Southern catalogs, and thereby take advantage of the large data base afforded by the combined catalogs. Between 10425 and 10455 ergs s-1 the luminosity function for all clusters and groups of galaxies is well represented. The integrated volume emissivity is 18.66 x 1037 ergs s-1 Mpc-3