An X-ray Study of the Nearby Massive Early-Type Galaxy NGC 4472

Computer Science

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Galaxies

Scientific paper

We present results from a deep archival XMM-Newton observation of the nearby massive early-type galaxy NGC 4472. This galaxy is in the early stages of merging with the Virgo cluster (1.35 Mpc from M87), and is the most optically luminous galaxy in the local Universe. Our earlier Chandra observations (Biller et al. 2004) showed a complex morphology in the X-ray emitting gas including cavities associated with twin radio lobes, a surface brightness discontinuity presumable due to an interaction with the Virgo cluster gas, and a filamentary arm similar to structures seen in M87. The deep XMM-Newton observation clearly demonstrates the existence of a ram pressure stripped tail anti-coincident to M87 and a surface brightness discontinuity, presumably the contact discontinuity between two moving fluids, between the core of NGC 4472 and the Virgo cluster gas. A temperature map of the NGC 4472 gas shows complex temperature variations in the core, perhaps indicative of non-azimuthally symmetric gas motions induced by the merger. Such motions have been predicted in various hydrodynamic simulations of galaxy/cluster mergers (Heinz et al. 2003). We also detect four filaments of cold gas in the temperature map extending roughly 25 kpc from the nucleus, one of which is coincident with the feature seen in the short Chandra observation. We discuss the implications of these results in terms of our understanding of group/cluster merger dynamics.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

An X-ray Study of the Nearby Massive Early-Type 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 An X-ray Study of the Nearby Massive Early-Type Galaxy NGC 4472, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and An X-ray Study of the Nearby Massive Early-Type Galaxy NGC 4472 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-837471

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.