Work

Cold Filaments Formed in Hot Wake Flows Uplifted by Active Galactic Nucleus Bubbles in Galaxy Clusters

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Multiwavelength observations indicate that the intracluster medium in some galaxy clusters contains cold filaments, while their formation mechanism remains debated. Using hydrodynamic simulations, we show that cold filaments could naturally condense out of the hot gaseous wake flows uplifted by jet-inflated active galactic nucleus (AGN) bubbles. Consistent with observations, the simulated filaments extend to tens of kiloparsecs from the cluster center, with a representative mass of 108–109 M ⊙ for a typical AGN outburst energy of 1060 erg. They show smooth velocity gradients, stretching typically from inner inflows to outer outflows with velocity dispersions of several hundred kilometers per second. The properties of cold filaments are affected substantially by the jet properties. Compared to kinetic-energy-dominated jets, it is easier for thermal-energy-dominated jets to produce long cold filaments with large masses, as observed. AGN jets with an early turn-on time, a low jet base, or a very high power tend to overheat the cluster center and produce short cold filaments that take a relatively long time to condense out.

Source: The Astrophysical Journal

DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ad5bdf

Authors: Xiaodong Duan, Fulai Guo

Institutions: Henan Normal University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,499

Funders: Henan Normal University, Chinese Academy of Sciences