Multiphase Signatures of Active Galactic Nucleus Feedback in Abell 2597

Authors

G. R. Tremblay, European Southern Observatory, Germany
C. P. O'Dea, Rochester Institute of Technology
S. A. Baum, Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
T. E. Clarke, Naval Research Laboratory
C. L. Sarazin, University of Virginia
J. N. Bregman, University of Michigan
F. Combes, Observatoire de Paris, France
M. Donahue, Michigan State University
A. C. Edge, Durham University, UK
A. C. Fabian, Institute of Astronomy, UK
Gary J. Ferland, University of KentuckyFollow
B. R. McNamara, Harvard University
R. Mittal, Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
J. B. R. Oonk, ASTRON, Netherlands
A. C. Quillen, University of Rochester
H. R. Russell, Waterloo University, Canada
J. S. Sanders, Institute of Astronomy, UK
P. Salomé, Observatoire de Paris, France
G. M. Voit, Michigan State University
R. J. Wilman, Durham University, UK
M. W. Wise, ASTRON, Netherlands

Abstract

We present new Chandra X-ray observations of the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG) in the cool-core cluster Abell 2597 (z= 0.0821). The data reveal an extensive kpc-scale X-ray cavity network as well as a 15-kpc filament of soft-excess gas exhibiting strong spatial correlation with archival Very Large Array radio data. In addition to several possible scenarios, multiwavelength evidence may suggest that the filament is associated with multiphase (10³–10⁷ K) gas that has been entrained and dredged-up by the propagating radio source. Stemming from a full spectral analysis, we also present profiles and 2D spectral maps of modelled X-ray temperature, entropy, pressure and metal abundance. The maps reveal an arc of hot gas which in projection borders the inner edge of a large X-ray cavity. Although limited by strong caveats, we suggest that the hot arc may be (a) due to a compressed rim of cold gas pushed outwards by the radio bubble or (b) morphologically and energetically consistent with cavity-driven active galactic nucleus heating models invoked to quench cooling flows, in which the enthalpy of a buoyant X-ray cavity is locally thermalized as ambient gas rushes to refill its wake. If confirmed, this would be the first observational evidence for this model.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2012

Notes/Citation Information

Published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, v. 424, issue 2, p. 1026-1041.

This article has been accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society ©: 2012 The Authors Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.

The copyright holder has granted the permission for posting the article here.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2966.2012.21281.x

Repository Citation

Tremblay, G. R.; O'Dea, C. P.; Baum, S. A.; Clarke, T. E.; Sarazin, C. L.; Bregman, J. N.; Combes, F.; Donahue, M.; Edge, A. C.; Fabian, A. C.; Ferland, Gary J.; McNamara, B. R.; Mittal, R.; Oonk, J. B. R.; Quillen, A. C.; Russell, H. R.; Sanders, J. S.; Salomé, P.; Voit, G. M.; Wilman, R. J.; and Wise, M. W., "Multiphase Signatures of Active Galactic Nucleus Feedback in Abell 2597" (2012). Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications. 33.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/physastron_facpub/33