Weak Lensing By Nearby Structures

Abstract

Weak gravitational lensing due to nearby structures, such as the Coma cluster, and the Local Supercluster can be expected to polarize images of distant galaxies by ${\cal O}(0.2%\Omega)$ with coherence over scales of tens of square degrees. The Sloan Survey, which will image $\gsim 10^4$ galaxies $\rm deg^{-2}$ over $\pi$ steradians, should be sensitive to polarizations of $\sim 0.1% A^{-1/2}$, where $A$ is the area in square degrees. By measuring the polarization, one could determine $\Omega$ in local structures and compare this value to that derived from a variety of other techniques.