Year: 2008
Type: article
Abstract: We have performed nonlinear ideal magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the long-term evolution of a magnetized low-density "bubble" plasma formed by a radio galaxy in a stratified cluster medium. It is found that about 3.5% of the initial magnetic energy remains in the bubble after ~8 × 10 9 yr, and the initial magnetic bubble expansion is adiabatic. The bubble can survive for at least 8 × 10 9 yr due to the stabilizing effect of the bubble magnetic field on Rayleigh-Taylor and Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities, possibly accounting for "ghost cavities" as observed in Perseus A. A filament structure spanning about 500 kpc is formed along the path of bubble motion. The mean value of the magnetic field inside this structure is ~0.88 μG at ~8 × 10 9 yr. Finally, the initial bubble momentum and rotation have limited influence on the long-term evolution of the bubble.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
DOI: 10.1086/592147
Authors: Wei Liu, Hui Li, Shengtai Li, Scott C. Hsu
Institution: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2083789918