A1367: A Cluster in Formation

Abstract

A1367 is a puzzling cluster with a large elongation, suggesting a major merger but with an anti-correlation between the luminosity and temperature of the two components of the cluster (NE and SW). The less luminous subconcentration appears hotter and the more luminous portion of the cluster appears cooler in contradiction to the well-established positive correlation of temperature and luminosity for clusters and groups. A1367 lies at the intersection of two large scale filaments in our local Universe - one in the direction of the Coma cluster and a second in the direction of the Virgo cluster. The elongation of the main X-ray structure lies along the Virgo-A1367 filament. With the XMM-Newton observation we have developed a model involving multiple mergers from two directions to explain the observed features of A1367.