The evolution of the cluster environments of radio sources at z<1.8

Abstract

An analysis of the cluster environments around distant radio galaxies is presented, in particular the results from new NTT deep optical-IR imaging of the fields of radio sources at z ~ 1.6. A net overdensity of K-band galaxies is found, together with a sharp peak in the angular cross-correlation amplitude, centred on the radio galaxies. This excess clustering is associated predominantly with red galaxies, with colours consistent with being old ellipticals at the radio source redshift. A large excess of such red galaxies is seen, particularly within 100 kpc of the radio source. These comprise amongst the most distant red sequences of cluster ellipticals yet discovered, that is, the highest redshift `normal&#39; clusters.