Three-dimensional Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations of Cold Fronts in Magnetically Turbulent ICM

Details Three-dimensional Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations of Cold Fronts in Magnetically Turbulent ICM Three-dimensional Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations of Cold Fronts in Magnetically Turbulent ICM

2007-03-20

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0703536v1

Astrophys.J.663:816-823,2007

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

17 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ. For a version with high quality figures, see http://www.astro.phys.s.c

Scientific paper

10.1086/518235

Steep gradients of temperature and density, called cold fronts, are observed by Chandra in a leading edge of subclusters moving through the intracluster medium (ICM). The presence of cold fronts indicates that thermal conduction across the front is suppressed by magnetic fields. We carried out three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations including anisotropic thermal conduction of a subcluster moving through a magnetically turbulent ICM. We found that turbulent magnetic fields are stretched and amplified by shear flows along the interface between the subcluster and the ambient ICM. Since magnetic fields reduce the efficiency of thermal conduction across the front, the cold front survives at least 1 Gyr. We also found that a moving subcluster works as an amplifier of magnetic fields. Numerical results indicate that stretched turbulent magnetic fields accumulate behind the subcluster and are further amplified by vortex motions. The moving subcluster creates a long tail of ordered magnetic fields, in which the magnetic field strength attains plasma beta < 10.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Three-dimensional Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations of Cold Fronts in Magnetically Turbulent ICM 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 Three-dimensional Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations of Cold Fronts in Magnetically Turbulent ICM, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Three-dimensional Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations of Cold Fronts in Magnetically Turbulent ICM will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-122980