The strong lensing model of MACS J0035.4−2015

We used strong gravitational lensing to study the mass distribution of the galaxy cluster MACS J0035.4−2015, by modeling its total mass distribution. The combination of high-resolution imaging from the Hubble Space Telescope with ground-based spectroscopy from the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer mounted at the Very Large Telescope allowed us to model the observed multiple image positions with ≈0.​​″3 precision. We find that MACS J0035.4−2015 can be best described by a combination of an elliptical dark matter halo modeled as an isothermal mass profile, with the brightest cluster galaxy and cluster members each modeled with a spherical truncated isothermal parameterization. With these assumptions, the total mass is estimated to be ≈ 6 × 10 13 M ⊙ within 100 kpc. The data and mass model presented here form the basis for future cosmological and astrophysical studies of this cluster.