Sunyaev-Zel'dovich observations with the Ryle Telescope

Abstract

The Ryle Telescope has been used to provide images at 15 GHz of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich decrements towards a dozen clusters in an X-ray luminosity-limited sample. So far, X-ray data have allowed H_0 estimates towards two of these, both giving ``low'' values that are self-consistent, though it is essential to obtain many more estimates to reduce the effects of cluster projection. We have also discovered a decrement towards the z=3.8 quasar pair PC1643+4631A&B (198'' separation); substantial X-ray, optical and infrared follow-up show that the cluster responsible is either at z>1 or very underluminous and that very significant gravitational lensing must be occuring.

5 pages, LaTex, uses 'cmb.sty' (included), 1 PostScript figure. To appear in proceedings of the XXXIst Rencontre de Moriond, `Microwave Background Anisotropies'