English

Parsec-scale Properties of Brightest Cluster Galaxies

Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics 2015-05-18 v1

Abstract

We present new VLBI observations at 5 GHz of a complete sample of Brightest Cluster Galaxies (BCGs) in nearby Abell Clusters (distance class <3). Combined with data from the literature, this provides parsec-scale information for 34 BCGs. Our analysis of their parsec scale radio emission and cluster X-ray properties shows a possible dichotomy between BCGs in cool core clusters and those in non cool core clusters. Among resolved sources, those in cool core clusters tend to have two-sided parsec-scale jets, while those in less relaxed clusters have predominantly one-sided parsec-scale jets. We suggest that this difference could be the result of interplay between the jets and the surrounding medium. The one-sided structure in non cool core clusters could be due to Doppler boosting effects in relativistic, intrinsically symmetric jets; two-sided morphology in cool core clusters is likely related to the presence of heavy and mildly relativistic jets slowed down on the parsec-scale. Evidence of recurrent activity are also found in BCGs in cool core clusters.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1002.1380,
  title  = {Parsec-scale Properties of Brightest Cluster Galaxies},
  author = {E. Liuzzo and G. Giovannini and M. Giroletti and G. B. Taylor},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1002.1380},
  year   = {2015}
}

Comments

20 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in A&A