The Structure of the Coma Cluster: a Search for Cool, Absorbing Gas Cycle 4 - Medium

Details The Structure of the Coma Cluster: a Search for Cool, Absorbing Gas Cycle 4 - Medium The Structure of the Coma Cluster: a Search for Cool, Absorbing Gas Cycle 4 - Medium

Jul 1994

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994hst..prop.5501u&link_type=abstract

HST Proposal ID #5501

Physics

Hst Proposal Id #5501 Galaxies &Amp, Clusters Clusters

Scientific paper

There is tantalizing new evidence that the intracluster medium of rich clusters of galaxies is not the simple, smooth, equilibrium fluid it may at first appear to be. Spatially resolved X-ray spectroscopy indicates the presence of cool, absorbing gas distributed across a number of clusters, including the Coma cluster of galaxies, even when extensive hot gas is clearly present and cooling flows are not. Ultraviolet resonance lines are the most sensitive probes of cool gas, down to quite low column densities. We propose to search for and characterize such gas in Coma, as well as gas associated with member galaxies, by observing two background UV light sources (QSOs) at different projected radii from the cluster center. Coma is uniquely suited for this study as it is rich, extremely well-studied at many wavelengths, and, most importantly, one of the very few clusters for which bright background QSOs are are known. Assuming we detect the cool intracluster gas seen in X-rays and/or gas associated with cluster galaxies, the HST data will probe its physical state. We can further investigate its spatial dependence by observing additional background sources. The presence of cool absorbing gas has implications for the physical state of the intracluster medium, for the evolution of galactic halos in diverse environments, and for the formation of QSO absorption lines.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Structure of the Coma Cluster: a Search for Cool, Absorbing Gas Cycle 4 - Medium 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 The Structure of the Coma Cluster: a Search for Cool, Absorbing Gas Cycle 4 - Medium, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Structure of the Coma Cluster: a Search for Cool, Absorbing Gas Cycle 4 - Medium will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-819662