Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jan 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010aas...21543625m&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #215, #436.25; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 42, p.388
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
Fossil groups are systems dominated by a single, giant elliptical galaxy, yet their X-ray emission indicates a much deeper, cluster-scale gravitational potential. They are thought to be old, undisturbed galaxy groups in which the large galaxies have merged via dynamical friction. However, there are indications (typical lack of large cool cores, star formation enrichment) that these systems may be younger or more active than previously thought. These results are complicated by the small number of fossil groups with deep X-ray data; to address this, we have constructed a sample of 15 fossil groups from the maxBCG optical cluster survey. Here we present Chandra snapshot observations of this first large, X-ray sample of optically identified fossil groups. For each group, we determine the X-ray luminosity and temperature, which span a range typical of large ellipticals to rich groups of galaxies. We describe plans for a deep X-ray follow-up program that will allow us to measure detailed density, temperature, and abundance profiles, and thus constrain the formation mechanism of these peculiar but numerous systems.
Dupke Renato
Mendes de Oliveira Claudia
Miller Eric D.
Rykoff Eli
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