Hot Gas Structure in the Elliptical Galaxy NGC 4472

Details Hot Gas Structure in the Elliptical Galaxy NGC 4472 Hot Gas Structure in the Elliptical Galaxy NGC 4472

2004-06-04

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0406132v1

Astrophys.J. 613 (2004) 238-246

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

25 pages, 11 figures, accepted by ApJ

Scientific paper

10.1086/423020

We present X-ray spectroscopic and morphological analyses using Chandra ACIS and ROSAT observations of the giant elliptical galaxy NGC 4472 in the Virgo cluster. We discuss previously unobserved X-ray structures within the extended galactic corona. In the inner 2' of the galaxy, we find X-ray holes or cavities with radii of ~2 kpc, corresponding to the position of radio lobes. These holes were produced during a period of nuclear activity that began 1.2 x 10^7 years ago and may be ongoing. We also find an asymmetrical edge in the galaxy X-ray emission 3' (14 kpc) northeast of the core and an ~8' tail (36 kpc) extending southwest of the galaxy. These two features probably result from the interaction of NGC 4472 gas with the Virgo gas, which produces compression in the direction of NGC 4472's infall and an extended tail from ram pressure stripping. Assuming the tail is in pressure equilibrium with the surrounding gas, we compute its angle to our line of sight and estimate that its true extent exceeds 100 kpc. Finally, in addition to emission from the nucleus (first detected by Soldatenkov, Vikhlinin & Pavlinsky), we detect two small extended sources within 10'' of the nucleus of the galaxy, both of which have luminosities of ~7 x 10^38 erg/s.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Hot Gas Structure in the Elliptical Galaxy NGC 4472 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Hot Gas Structure in the Elliptical Galaxy NGC 4472, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hot Gas Structure in the Elliptical Galaxy NGC 4472 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-705474