No Arabic abstract
Based on XMM-Newton observations of a sample of galaxy clusters, we have measured the elemental abundances (mainly O, Si, S, and Fe) and their spatial distributions in the intracluster medium (ICM). In the outer region of the ICM, observations of the O:Si:S:Fe ratio are consistent with the solar value, suggesting that the metals in the ICM were produced by a mix of supernovae (SNe) Ia and II. On the other hand, around the cD galaxy, the O/Fe ratios are about half of the solar value because of a central excess of the Fe abundance. An increase of the relative contribution from SNe Ia in the cD galaxy to the metal production towards the center is the most likely explanation.
XMM-Newton observations of 19 galaxy clusters are used to measure the elemental abundances and their spatial distributions in the intracluster medium. The sample mainly consists of X-ray bright and relaxed clusters with a cD galaxy. Along with detailed Si, S and Fe radial abundance distributions within 300-700 kpc in radius, the O abundances are accurately derived in the central region of the clusters. The Fe abundance maxima towards the cluster center, possibly due to the metals from the cD galaxy,are spatially resolved. The Si and S abundances also exhibit central increases in general, resulting in uniform Fe-Si-S ratios within the cluster. In contrast, the O abundances are in general uniform over the cluster. The mean O to Fe ratio within the cluster core is sub-solar, while that of the cluster scale is larger than the solar ratio. These measurements indicate that most of the Fe-Si-S and O in the intracluster medium have different origins, presumably in supernovae Ia and II, respectively. The obtained Fe and O mass are also used to discuss the past star formation history in clusters.
The results from XMM-Newton observations of the relaxed cluster of galaxies Abell~496 are presented. The spatially-resolved X-ray spectra taken by the European Photon Imaging Cameras show a temperature drop and a Fe abundance increase in the intra-cluster medium (ICM) towards the cD galaxy at the cluster center. The abundances of Si and S also show a central enhancement. High resolution soft X-ray spectra obtained with the Reflection Grating Spectrometers provides a strong constraint on the temperature structure in the central cool plasma. Furthermore, the O abundance at the cluster core is accurately measured based on the OVIII Ly alpha line detected with the RGS. Contrary to the Si, S, and Fe abundances, the O abundance is radially constant over the cluster.
The results from Suzaku observations of the central region of the Perseus cluster are presented. Deep exposures with the X-ray Imaging Spectrometer provide high quality X-ray spectra from the intracluster medium. X-ray lines from helium-like Cr and Mn have been detected significantly for the first time in clusters. In addition, elemental abundances of Ne, Mg, Si, S, Ar, Ca, Fe, and Ni are accurately measured within 10 (or 220 kpc) from the cluster center. The relative abundance ratios are found to be within a range of 0.8-1.5 times the solar value. These abundance ratios are compared with previous measurements, those in extremely metal-poor stars in the Galaxy, and theoretical models.
We demonstrate a novel technique for calibrating the energy scale of the XMM EPIC-pn detector, which allows us to measure bulk flows in the intracluster medium (ICM) of the Perseus and Coma clusters. The procedure uses the instrumental lines present in all observations, in particular, Cu-Ka. By studying their spatial and temporal variations, in addition to incorporating calibration observations, we refined the absolute energy scale to better than 150 km/s at the Fe-K line, a large improvement over the nominal accuracy of 550 km/s. We then mapped the bulk motions over much of the central 1200 and 800 kpc of Perseus and Coma, respectively, in spatial regions down to 65 and 140 kpc size. We cross-checked our procedure by comparing our measurements with those found in Perseus by Hitomi for an overlapping region, finding consistent results. For Perseus, there is a LoS velocity increase of 480+-210 km/s (1sigma) 250 kpc east of the nucleus. This region is associated with a cold front, providing direct evidence of the ICM sloshing in the potential well. Assuming the intrinsic distribution of bulk motions is Gaussian, its width is 214+-85 km/s, excluding systematics. Removing the sloshing region, this is reduced to 20-150 km/s, which is similar in magnitude to the Hitomi line width measurements in undisturbed regions. In Coma, the line-of-sight velocity of the ICM varies between the velocities of the two central galaxies. Maps of the gas velocity and metallicity provide clues about the merger history of the Coma, with material to the north and east of the cluster core having a velocity similar to NGC 4874, while that to the south and west has velocities close to NGC 4889. Our results highlight the difference between a merging system, such as Coma, where we observe a ~1000 km/s range in velocity, and a relatively relaxed system, such as Perseus, with much weaker bulk motions. [abridged]
We report the results of a detailed analysis of the temperature structure of the X-ray emitting plasma halo of M~87, the cD galaxy of the Virgo Cluster. Using the MEKAL model, the data provide strong indications that the intracluster medium has a single phase structure locally, except the regions associated to the radio structures. The deprojected spectrum at each radius is well fitted by a single temperature MEKAL model, except for the very central region ($<$ 2 arcmin) which seems to be affected by the jet and radio lobe structure. The temperature of the intracluster plasma is 1 keV at the center and gradually increases to 2.5 keV at 80 kpc. We have also fitted spectra using the APEC code. Although the large changes of the strength of K$alpha$ lines causes a discrepancy between the Fe-L and Fe-K lines for the APEC results, the overall temperature structure has not changed. There is no sign of excess absorption in the spectral data. The single-phase nature of the intracluster medium is in conflict with the standard cooling flow model which is based on a multi-phase temperature structure. In addition, the signature of gas cooling below 0.8 keV to zero temperature is not observed as expected for a cooling flow. The gravitational mass profile derived from the temperature and density distribution of the intracluster gas shows two distinct contributions that can be assigned to the gravitational potential of the cD galaxy and the cluster. The central temperature of the intracluster medium agrees well with the potential depth and the velocity dispersion of the cD galaxy. The latter result implies that the central region of the intracluster medium is equivalent to a virialized interstellar medium in M 87.