STIRRED, NOT CLUMPED: EVOLUTION OF TEMPERATURE PROFILES IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF GALAXY CLUSTERS

Journal Article · Tue Dec 20 00:00:00 EST 2016 · Astrophysical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/833/2/227· OSTI ID:22661485

Avestruz, Camille; Nagai, Daisuke

Recent statistical X-ray measurements of the intracluster medium (ICM) indicate that gas temperature profiles in the outskirts of galaxy clusters deviate from self-similar evolution. Using a mass-limited sample of galaxy clusters from cosmological hydrodynamical simulations, we show that the departure from self-similarity can be explained by non-thermal gas motions driven by mergers and accretion. Contrary to previous claims, gaseous substructures only play a minor role in the temperature evolution in cluster outskirts. A careful choice of halo overdensity definition in self-similar scaling mitigates these departures. Our work highlights the importance of non-thermal gas motions in ICM evolution and the use of galaxy clusters as cosmological probes.

• OSTI ID: 22661485
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 833, Issue 2; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTROPHYSICS
COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
COSMOLOGY
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
GALAXY CLUSTERS
MASS
PROBES
X RADIATION
X-RAY GALAXIES