| |
 |
| Paper: |
Dynamics of the Multiple Merger Cluster of Galaxies Abell 85 |
| Volume: |
262, The High Energy Universe at Sharp Focus: Chandra Science |
| Page: |
383 |
| Authors: |
Kempner, J. C.; Sarazin, C. L.; Ricker, P. M. |
| Abstract: |
We have obtained Cycle 1 Chandra observations of the Abell 85 cluster of galaxies using the ACIS-I detector. Abell 85 is in the early stages of a multiple merger with two smaller sub-clusters, one impacting the main cluster from the south and one from the southwest. It also has a moderately strong cooling flow (dot{M}= 108 Modot/yr) associated with the main cluster center. The southern sub-cluster contains the remnant of a cooling flow which has not been completely disrupted by the merger, similar to ``cold fronts'' seen in Abell 2142 and Abell 3667. A possible bow shock precedes the cold front. We determine the relative merger velocity of the southern sub-cluster from the stagnation pressure at the cold front and from the standard Rankine-Hugoniot jump conditions at the bow shock. We then construct a model for the merger based on this kinematic information. The smaller and less massive southwestern sub-cluster is host to a filamentary radio relic. We discuss possible scenarios for its formation. We also examine the interaction between the AGN at the center of the main cluster cooling flow and the surrounding X-ray gas. The AGN appears to have excavated a cavity in the X-ray gas on at least one side of the AGN core. Several X-ray ``knots'' are also observed near the center of the cooling flow, perhaps indicating further interaction of the AGN with the gas in the cooling flow, or a cooling wake due to relative motion of the central galaxy and the intra-cluster gas. |
|
|
|
|
|
