[Xtalk+] The X-ray study of the bright central galaxies and hot gas of galaxy clusters

Abstract: In the standard 𝛬CDM cosmological model, cosmic structure formation is hierarchical. Although the dark matter merger history is in good agreement with simulations, the current understanding of the baryonic evolution process is still relatively poor, which further hinders our understanding of galaxy formation and galaxy cluster evolution.

Motivated by the above scientific topics, our collaborators have proposed Chandra observations and have acquired about 173-ks long first-hand data. The following topics have then been investigated based on this set of data.

(1) X-ray study of the central bright galaxy of galaxy cluster Abell 407 and the AGN feedback.

A407 contains a compact group of galaxies in the central 30 kpc of Abell 407 (A407), in which 9 members galaxies are identified and also show merging features.

By analyzing the cumulative 44 ks Chandra observations of galaxy cluster A407, in addition to radio and optical observations, we studied the details of the BCG formation.

(2) Study of physical processes in the hot gas of the ICM in galaxy cluster MCXC J0157.4 - 0550.

The galaxy cluster SDSS J015733 (J0157 for short), as a subcluster, is currently merging with its main cluster and producing the brightest sloshing-type cold front structure observed so far, and the cold front scale is one of the largest ever found (∼260 kpc).

By analyzing the cumulative Chandra X-ray observations of 129 ks for sub-cluster J0157, we studied its cold front structure.

Related reference papers and ADS links: Chandra view of Abell 407: https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2022MNRAS.511.3994G/abstract