The Red-Sequence Cluster Survey: The Value of $Ω_m$ and $σ_8$

Abstract

The Red-Sequence Cluster Survey (RCS) is a 100 deg$^2$ optical survey for high-redshift galaxy clusters. One of the goals of the survey is a measurement of $Ω_m$ and $σ_8$ via the evolution of the mass spectrum of galaxy clusters. Herein we briefly describe how this will initially be done, and also demonstrate the eventual power of the RCS for this type of measurement by a qualitative analysis of the first 1/10th of the survey data.