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At least 451 records · Page 25

A Very Hot, High Redshift Cluster of Galaxies: More Trouble for Omega(0) = 1

We have observed the most distant (= 0.829) cluster of galaxies in the Einstein Extended Medium Sensitivity Survey (EMSS), with the ASCA and ROSAT satellites. We find an X-ray temperature of 12.3 (sup +3.1) (sub -2.2)keV for this cluster, and the ROSAT map reveals significant substructure. The high temperature of MS1054-0321 is consistent with both its approximate velocity dispersion, based on the redshifts of 12 cluster members we have obtained at the Keck and the Canada-France-Hawaii telescopes, and with its weak lensing signature. The X-ray temperature of this cluster implies a virial mass approx. 7.4 x 10 (sup 14) h (sup -1) M (circle dot), if the mean matter density in the universe equals the critical value (OMEGA (sub 0) = 1), or larger if OMEGA (sub 0) is less than 1. Finding such a hot, massive cluster in the EMSS is extremely improbable if clusters grew from Gaussian perturbations in an OMEGA (sub 0) = 1 universe. Combining the assumptions that OMEGA (sub 0) = 1 and that the initial perturbations were Gaussian with the observed X-ray temperature function at low redshift, we show that this probability of this cluster occurring in the volume sampled by the EMSS is less than a few times 10 (sup -5). Nor is MS1054-0321 the only hot cluster at high redshift; the only two other z greater than 0.5 EMSS clusters already observed with ASCA also have temperatures exceeding 8 keV. Assuming again that the initial perturbations were Gaussian and OMEGA (sub 0) = 1, we find that each one is improbable at the less than 10 (sup -2) level. These observations, along with the fact that these luminosities and temperatures of the high-z clusters all agree with the low-z L (sub X) - T (sub X) relation, argue strongly that OMEGA (sub 0) less than 1. Otherwise, the initial perturbations must be non-Gaussian, if these clusters' temperatures do indeed reflect their gravitational potentials.

Donahue, Megan↗

Einstein imaging observations of clusters of galaxies

X-ray observations suggest a broad division between clusters having a centrally-located, X-ray dominant galaxy characterized by a centrally-peaked X-ray emission, and clusters with a broader X-ray profile. Within these categories, such evolutionary indicators as X-ray temperature, vorticity dispersion, spiral fraction and central galaxy density may indicate the relative stages of evolution. X-ray imaging observations are presented for (1) the Virgo cluster, (2) other dynamically unevolved clusters, (3) double clusters which may be in an intermediate evolutionary stage, and (4) dynamically evolved clusters. The data are analyzed under the assumption of an isothermal X-ray gas which is gravitationally bound by galaxies and clusters.

Forman, W.↗

Three rich clusters of galaxies with bimodal or clumpy X-ray morphologies

X-ray images of the rich clusters of galaxies A1560, A2356, and A2384 show that the individual X-ray features correspond to hot gas of between one and 10 billion solar masses. These results are consistent with the formation of clusters by subcluster coalescence and merging. Clusters can be observed in almost any stage of coalescence, and it is recommended that galaxy motions and distributions be correlated with X-ray brightness distributions.

Ulmer, M. P.↗

HEAO-1 - Low energy X-ray observations of clusters of galaxies

Results are reported for HEAO 1 low-energy X-ray observations of the Perseus and Virgo clusters of galaxies. The best-fit spectrum for the Perseus cluster indicates thermal bremsstrahlung from a plasma at a temperature of 20 + or - 10 million K, with an absorbing hydrogen column of 2 + or - 1 x 10 to the 21st per sq cm. The best-fit thermal-bremsstrahlung model for the Virgo cluster is obtained for a line centered at 1.15 keV, which is the expected position of the iron line complex at a temperature of 40 million K. An iron abundance of 3.1 (+7, -2.3) x 10 to the -5th relative to hydrogen is determined. This abundance is shown to be within a factor of about 3 of the 'cosmic' value.

Lea, S. M.↗

Metal concentration and X-ray cool spectral component in the central region of the Centaurus cluster of galaxies

Spatially resolved energy spectra in the energy range 0.5-10 keV have been measured for the Centaurus cluster of galaxies with Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA). Within 10 min (200 kpc) from the cluster center, the helium-like iron K emission line exhibits a dramatic increase toward the center rising from an equivalent width approximately 500 eV to approximately 1500 eV corresponding to an abundance change from 0.3 to 1.0 solar. The presence of strong iron L lines indicates an additional cool component (kT approximately 1 keV) within 10 min from the center. The cool component requires absorption in excess of the galactic value and this excess absorption increases towards the central region of the cluster. In the surrounding region with radius greater than 10 min, the spectra are well described by a single temperature thermal model with kT approximately 4 keV and spatially uniform abundances at about 0.3-0.4 times solar. The detection of metal-rich hot and cool gas in the cluster center implies a complex nature of the central cluster gas which is likely to be related to the presence of the central cD galaxy NGC 4696.

Fukazawa, Yasushi↗

X-Ray Measured Masses for Clusters of Galaxies

Results of the analysis of Chandra observations fo the gas density and temperature profiles for several clusters f galaxies will be used to determine the amount and distribution of the total mass in clusters. These results will be compared with past results from ASCA. with theoretically predicted mass profiles and with mass profiles determined from gravitational lensing.

Forman, William↗

X-ray locations and sizes of clusters of galaxies observed with the HEAO 1 scanning modulation collimator

Observations with the HEAO 1 scanning modulation collimator (MC) have yielded improved locations for the centroids of X-ray sources in clusters of galaxies dominated by a giant central galaxy. For A85, A478, A1795, A2029, A2199, A2319 A, and SC 0316-444, these positions are consistent with those of the clusters' dominant cD galaxies. By comparing the HEAO 1 MC flux with that obtained with the HEAO 1 A-2 experiment, estimates of the X-ray sizes for these clusters have been obtained. The correlation of these sizes with other cluster properties is discussed.

Schwarz, J.↗

Energy spectra of X-ray clusters of galaxies

A procedure for estimating the ranges of parameters that describe the spectra of X-rays from clusters of galaxies is presented. The applicability of the method is proved by statistical simulations of cluster spectra; such a proof is necessary because of the nonlinearity of the spectral functions. Implications for the spectra of the Perseus, Coma, and Virgo clusters are discussed. The procedure can be applied in more general problems of parameter estimation.

Avni, Y.↗

HRI observations of the A2384 cluster of galaxies

The cores of subclusters at redshifts approximately 0.1 were observed by the Rosat high resolution imager (HRI). The analysis of a 26 ksec observation of A 2384, a BM II-III with a cD galaxy are reported on. The cluster appears to be composed of a primary subcluster with a secondary peak. The galaxy distribution suggests a secondary peak at the approximate location of the secondary X-ray peak. The primary and the secondary peak are connected, with the X-ray emission elongated in the direction of the merger axis. The central particle density is 0.01/cu cm, but falls rapidly as a function of the radius. The accretion rate is estimated to be 4 solar mass/yr. Cooling flows must grow appreciably after a merger in order to equal the large accretion rates typical of rich clusters.

Henriksen, Mark J.↗

H0414 + 009 - An X-ray bright BL Lac with a radio tail in a distant cluster of galaxies

Observations of the X-ray-selected BL Lac H0414 + 009 with the VLA indicate a steep-spectrum radio tail extending about 40 arcsec from the core. Deep V, R, and I CCD images show this object to be located in a galaxy whose colors and surface brightness are fitted by an elliptical model. The BL Lac and the cluster of galaxies are physically associated, indicating that BL Lacs do not avoid the cluster environment but are found in groups and clusters as often as are normal radio galaxies; this supports the contention that BL Lacs are normal radio galaxies seen 'end on'.

Mchardy, I. M.↗

A survey of rich clusters of galaxies with HEAO 1. II

Results are presented of an X-ray survey of approximately 1900 Abell clusters of galaxies performed with the NRL large-area X-ray detectors on HEAO 1. The cluster luminosity function derived from the observations made at ecliptic longitudes between 80 and 180 deg and 260 and 360 deg is fit with both power law and exponential relations, and used to estimate a total contribution of Abell clusters to the volume emissivity of the diffuse X-ray background of between 3 and 10%. No strong correlation is found between X-ray luminosity and Bautz-Morgan class, richness class or 26-MHz radio power, although B-M type I and Abell richness class 3 appear more likely to be strong X-ray sources. A correlation is suggested between optical radius and X-ray luminosity.

Ulmer, M. P.↗

The structure of the coma cluster of galaxies.

Analysis of radial velocities in the coma cluster (many of them new) in conjunction with previous data on the density distribution. The cluster extends more than 200 min in radius, with bright and faint galaxies distributed in nearly the same way. Some spirals are members. Several different determinations of M/L give values around 250. The cluster is stabilized by a 'missing mass' some seven times the mass of the galaxies, which must be distributed in the same way as the galaxies.

Rood, H. J.↗

The dynamics and evolution of clusters of galaxies

Research was undertaken to produce a coherent picture of the formation and evolution of large-scale structures in the universe. The program is divided into projects which examine four areas: the relationship between individual galaxies and their environment; the structure and evolution of individual rich clusters of galaxies; the nature of superclusters; and the large-scale distribution of individual galaxies. A brief review of results in each area is provided.

Geller, Margaret↗

X-ray observations of distant blue clusters of galaxies

X-ray observations are reported for a sample of distant clusters for which the percentage of apparent cluster members that are blue has been determined optically. The X-ray properties of the clusters are not simply related to the optical properties. The X-ray observations do not support models in which blue galaxies change color as a result of ram-pressure stripping, or in which star formation is triggered by interaction with an intracluster medium. The data lend some support to the idea that blue galaxies in distant clusters are being observed immediately after the removal of galactic halos, and before the interstellar medium is depleted (Larson et al., 1980).

Lea, Susan M.↗

HEAO 1 hard X-ray observation of clusters of galaxies and intracluster magnetic fields

The results of HEAO 1 hard X-ray measurements of three clusters of galaxies, Abell 401, Abell 2255, and Abell 2256 are reported. Nonthermal components were not detected above the level of 10 to the -5th photons/sq cm/s/keV. Comparison of the flux upper limits with theoretical predictions yields lower limits of about 10 to the -7th gauss on the mean value of the intracluster magnetic fields in the central regions of these clusters.

Rephaeli, Yoel↗

N-body experiments and missing mass in clusters of galaxies

It is commonly assumed that the distributions of surface density and radial-velocity dispersion in clusters of galaxies are sensitive tracers of the underlying distribution of any unseen mass. N-body experiments have been used to test this assumption. Calculations with equal-mass systems indicate that the effects of the underlying mass distribution cannot be detected by observations of the surface-density or radial-velocity distributions, and the existence of an extended binding mass in all well-studied clusters would be consistent with available observations.

Smith, H.↗

An X-ray and optical study of the cluster of galaxies Abell 754

X-ray and optical data for A754 are used to study the relative distribution of the luminous and dark matter in this dense, rich cluster of galaxies with X-ray luminosity comparable to that of the Coma Cluster. A quantitative statistical comparison is made of the galaxy positions with the total mass responsible for maintaining the X-ray emitting gas in hydrostatic equilibrium. A simple bimodal model which fits both the X-ray and optical data suggests that the galaxies are distributed consistently with the projected matter distribution within the region covered by the X-ray map (0.5-1 Mpc). The X-ray and optical estimates of the mass in the central region of the cluster are 2.9 x 10 to the 14th and 3.6 + or - 0.5 x 10 to the 14th solar masses, respectively.

Fabricant, D.↗

X-Ray Spectroscopy of the Cluster of Galaxies Abell 1795 with XMM-Newton

The initial results from XMM-Newton observations of the rich cluster of galaxies Abell 1795 are presented. The spatially-resolved X-ray spectra taken by the European Photon Imaging Cameras (EPIC) show a temperature drop at a radius of - 200 kpc from the cluster center, indicating that the ICM is cooling. Both the EPIC and the Reflection Grating Spectrometers (RGS) spectra extracted from the cluster center can be described by an isothermal model with a temperature of approx. 4 keV. The volume emission measure of any cool component (less than 1 keV) is less than a few % of the hot component at the cluster center. A strong O VIII Lyman alpha line was detected with the RGS from the cluster core. The O abundance of the ICM is 0.2-0.5 times the solar value. The O to Fe ratio at the cluster center is 0.5 - 1.5 times the solar ratio.

Tamura, T.↗