Radio emission in the directions of cD and related galaxies in poor clusters. III. VLA observations at 20 cm

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Astron. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/112849· OSTI ID:6678638

Burns, J O; White, R A; Hough, D H

VLA radio maps and optical identifications of a sample of sources in the directions of 21 Yerkes poor cluster fields are presented. The majority of the cluster radio sources are associated with the dominant D or cD galaxies (approx.70%). Our analysis of dominant galaxies in rich and poor clusters indicates that these giant galaxies are much more often radio emitters (approx.25% of cD's are radio active in the poor clusters), have steeper radio spectra, and have simpler radio morphologies (i.e., double or other linear structure) than other less bright ellipticals. A strong continuum of radio properties in cD galaxies is seen from rich to poor clusters. We speculate that the location of these dominant galaxies at the cluster centers (i.e., at the bottom of a deep, isolated gravitational potential well) is the crucial factor in explaining their multifrequency activity. We briefly discuss galaxy cannibalism and gas infall models as fueling mechanisms for the observed radio and x-ray emission.

• Research Organization: National Radio Astronomy Observatory, VLA Program, Socorro, New Mexico 87801
• OSTI ID: 6678638
• Journal Information: Astron. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astron. J.; (United States) Vol. 86:1; ISSN ANJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COORDINATES
DATA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GALAXIES
GALAXY CLUSTERS
INFORMATION
INTERFEROMETRY
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MORPHOLOGY
NUMERICAL DATA
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
VISIBLE RADIATION
X RADIATION