The density profiles of 18 galaxy clusters

Abstract The surface number density profiles were determined for 18 galaxy clusters, counting galaxies in circular and elliptical rings. The King formula was fitted to the profiles. The χ2-test shows that better fits are given for the elliptical than circular rings. Moreover, some secondary maxima observed for circular profiles disappeared in elliptical counts. The secondary maxima on density profiles are mainly due to subclustering inside clusters.