Scott W. Randall

A DIRECT EMPIRICAL PROOF OF THE EXISTENCE OF DARK MATTER

We present new weak lensing observations of 1E0657-558 (z = 0.296), a unique cluster merger, that enable a direct detection of dark matter, independent of assumptions regarding the nature of the gravitational force law. Due to the collision of two clusters, the dissipationless stellar component and the fluid-like X-ray emitting plasma are spatially segregated. By using both wide-field ground based images and HST/ACS images of the cluster cores, we create gravitational lensing maps which show that the gravitational potential does not trace the plasma distribution, the dominant baryonic mass component, but rather approximately traces the distribution of galaxies. An 8{sigma} significance spatial offset of the center of the total mass from the center of the baryonic mass peaks cannot be explained with an alteration of the gravitational force law, and thus proves that the majority of the matter in the system is unseen.

CONSTRAINTS ON THE SELF-INTERACTION CROSS SECTION OF DARK MATTER FROM NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS OF THE MERGING GALAXY CLUSTER 1E 0657-56

We compare recent results from X-ray, strong lensing, weak lensing, and optical observations with numerical simulations of the merging galaxy cluster 1E 0657–56. X-ray observations reveal a bullet-like subcluster with a prominent bow shock, which gives an estimate for the merger velocity of 4700 km s−1, while lensing results show that the positions of the total mass peaks are consistent with the centroids of the collisionless galaxies (and inconsistent with the X-ray brightness peaks). Previous studies, based on older observational data sets, have placed upper limits on the self-interaction cross section of dark matter per unit mass, σ/m, using simplified analytic techniques. In this work, we take advantage of new, higher quality observational data sets by running full N-body simulations of 1E 0657–56 that include the effects of self-interacting dark matter, and comparing the results with observations. Furthermore, the recent data allow for a new independent method of constraining σ/m, based on the nonobservation of an offset between the bullet subcluster mass peak and galaxy centroid. This new method places an upper limit (68% confidence) of σ/m < 1.25 cm2 g−1. If we make the assumption that the subcluster and the main cluster had equal mass-to-light ratios prior to the merger, we derive our most stringent constraint of σ/m < 0.7 cm2 g−1, which comes from the consistency of the subclusters observed mass-to-light ratio with the main clusters, and with the universal cluster value, ruling out the possibility of a large fraction of dark matter particles being scattered away due to collisions. Our limit is a slight improvement over the previous result from analytic estimates, and rules out most of the 0.5-5 cm2 g−1 range invoked to explain inconsistencies between the standard collisionless cold dark matter model and observations.

Shocks and Cavities from Multiple Outbursts in the Galaxy Group NGC 5813: A Window to Active Galactic Nucleus Feedback

We present results from new Chandra, GMRT, and SOAR observations of NGC 5813, the dominant central galaxy in a nearby galaxy group. The system shows three pairs of collinear cavities at 1 kpc, 8 kpc, and 20 kpc from the central source, from three distinct outbursts of the central active galactic nucleus (AGN), which occurred 3 × 106, 2 × 107, and 9 × 107 yr ago. The Hα and X-ray observations reveal filaments of cool gas that has been uplifted by the X-ray cavities. The inner two cavity pairs are filled with radio-emitting plasma, and each pair is associated with an elliptical surface brightness edge, which we unambiguously identify as shocks (with measured temperature jumps) with Mach numbers of M ≈ 1.7 and M ≈ 1.5 for the inner and outer shocks, respectively. Such clear signatures from three distinct AGN outbursts in an otherwise dynamically relaxed system provide a unique opportunity to study AGN feedback and outburst history. The mean power of the two most recent outbursts differs by a factor of six, from (1.5-10)×1042 erg s–1, indicating that the mean jet power changes significantly over long (~107 yr) timescales. The total energy output of the most recent outburst is also more than an order of magnitude less than the total energy of the previous outburst (1.5 × 1056 erg versus 4 × 1057 erg), which may be a result of the lower mean power, or may indicate that the most recent outburst is ongoing. The outburst interval implied by both the shock and cavity ages (~107 yr) indicates that, in this system, shock heating alone is sufficient to balance radiative cooling close to the central AGN, which is the relevant region for regulating feedback between the intracluster medium and the central supermassive black hole.

Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries and Globular Clusters in Early-Type Galaxies

A high fraction of the low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) in early-type galaxies are associated with globular clusters (GCs). Here we discuss the correlations between LMXBs and GCs in a sample of four early-type galaxies with X-ray source lists determined from Chandra observations. There is some evidence that the fraction of LMXBs associated with GCs (fX-GC) increases along the Hubble sequence from spiral bulges (or spheroids) to S0s to Es to cDs. On the other hand, the fraction of GCs that contain X-ray sources appears to be roughly constant at fGC-X ~ 4%. There is a strong tendency for the X-ray sources to be associated with the optically more luminous GCs. However, this correlation is consistent with a constant probability of finding an LMXB per unit optical luminosity; that is, it seems to result primarily from the larger number of stars in optically luminous GCs. The probability of finding a bright LMXB per unit optical luminosity in the GCs is about 1.5 ? 10-7 LMXBs per L?,I for LX 1 ? 1038 ergs s-1 (0.3-10 keV) and rises to about 2.0 ? 10-7 LMXBs per L?,I at lower X-ray luminosities, LX 3 ? 1037 ergs s-1. This frequency appears to be roughly constant for different galaxies, including the bulges of the Milky Way and M31. There is a tendency for the X-ray sources to be found preferentially in redder GCs, which is independent of optical luminosity correlation. This seems to indicate that the evolution of X-ray binaries in a GC is affected by either the metallicity or the age of the GC, with younger and/or more metal rich GCs having more LMXBs. There is no strong difference in the X-ray luminosities of GC and non-GC LMXBs. There is a weak tendency for the brightest LMXBs, whose luminosities exceed the Eddington luminosity for a 1.4 M? neutron star, to avoid GCs. That may indicate that black hole X-ray binaries are somewhat less likely to be found in GCs, as seems to be true in our Galaxy. On the other hand, there are some luminous LMXBs associated with GCs. There is no clear evidence that the X-ray spectra or variability of GC and non-GC X-ray sources differ. We also find no evidence for a difference in the spatial distribution of GC and non-GC LMXBs. Many of these results are similar to those found in NGC 1399 and NGC 4472 by Angelini et al. and Kundu et al., respectively.

Self-similar scaling and evolution in the galaxy cluster X-ray Luminosity-Temperature relation

We investigate the form and evolution of the X-ray luminosity–temperature (LX–kT) relation of a sample of 114 galaxy clusters observed with Chandra at 0.1 0.5 and discuss the effect of this on measurements of the evolution in the LX–kT relation.

X-ray surface brightness and gas density fluctuations in the Coma cluster

X-ray surface brightness fluctuations in the core (650 × 650 kpc) region of the Coma cluster observed with XMM-Newton and Chandra are analyzed using a 2D power spectrum approach. The resulting 2D spectra are converted to 3D power spectra of gas density fluctuations. The characteristic amplitude of the volume filling density fluctuations relative to the smooth underlying density distribution varies from 7-10% on scales of �500 kpc down to �5% at scales � 30 kpc. On smaller spatial scales, projection effects smear the density fluctuations by a large factor, precluding strong limits on the fluctuations in 3D. On the largest scales probed (hundreds of kpc), the dominant contributions to the observed fluctuations most likely arise from perturbations of the gravitational potential by the two most massive galaxies in Coma, NGC4874 and NGC4889, and the low entropy gas brought to the cluster by an infalling group. Other plausible sources of density fluctuations are discussed, including turbulence, metal abundance variations, and unresolved sources.

A VERY DEEP CHANDRA OBSERVATION OF A2052: BUBBLES, SHOCKS, AND SLOSHING

We present the first results from a very deep (~650 ks) Chandra X-ray observation of A2052, as well as archival Very Large Array radio observations. The data reveal detailed structure in the inner parts of the cluster, including bubbles evacuated by radio lobes of the active galactic nucleus (AGN), compressed bubble rims, filaments, and loops. Two concentric shocks are seen, and a temperature rise is measured for the innermost one. On larger scales, we report the first detection of an excess surface brightness spiral feature. The spiral has cooler temperatures, lower entropies, and higher abundances than its surroundings, and is likely the result of sloshing gas initiated by a previous cluster-cluster or sub-cluster merger. Initial evidence for previously unseen bubbles at larger radii related to earlier outbursts from the AGN is presented.

Shocks and Bubbles in a Deep Chandra Observation of the Cooling Flow Cluster Abell 2052

Abstract : We present results from a deep Chandra observation of Abell 2052. A2052 is a bright, nearby, cooling flow cluster, at a redshift of z = 0.035. Concentric surface brightness discontinuities are revealed in the cluster center, and these features are consistent with shocks driven by the active galactic nucleus (AGN), both with Mach numbers of approximately 1.2. The southern cavity in A2052 nowappears to be split into two cavities with the southernmost cavity likely representing a ghost bubble from earlier radio activity. There also appears to be a ghost bubble present to the NW of the cluster center. The cycle time measured for the radio source is t approx. 2 10(7) yr using either the shock separation or the rise time of the bubbles. The energy deposited by the radio source, including a combination of direct shock heating and heating by buoyantly rising bubbles inflated by the AGN, can offset the cooling in the core of the cluster.

Deep Chandra Observations of Edges and Bubbles in the NGC 5846 Galaxy Group

We use a combined 120 ks Chandra exposure to analyze X-ray edges produced by non-hydrostatic gas motions (sloshing) from galaxy collisions, and cavities formed by active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity. Evidence for gas sloshing is seen in the spiral morphology and multiple cold front edges in NGC 5846s X-ray surface brightness distribution, while the lack of spiral structure in the temperature map suggests that the perturbing interaction was not in the plane of the sky. Density and spectral modeling across the edges indicate that the relative motion of gas in the cold fronts is at most transonic. Evidence for AGN activity is seen in two inner bubbles at 0.6 kpc, filled with 5 GHz and 1.5 GHz radio plasma and coincident with Hα emission, and in a ghost bubble at 5.2 kpc west of NGC 5846s nucleus. The outburst energy and ages for the inner (ghost) bubbles are ~1055 erg and ~2 Myr (~5 × 1055 erg and 12 Myr), respectively, implying an AGN duty cycle of 10 Myr. The inner bubble rims are threaded with nine knots, whose total 0.5-2 keV X-ray luminosity is 0.3 × 1040 erg s–1, a factor ~2-3 less than that of the surrounding rims, and 0.7 keV mean temperature is indistinguishable from that of the rims. We suggest that the knots may be transient clouds heated by the recent passage of a shock from the last AGN outburst. We also observe gas stripping from a cE galaxy, NGC 5846A, in a 0.5 kpc long (~105 M ☉) hot gas tail, as it falls toward NGC 5846.

A Very Deep Chandra Observation of the Galaxy Group NGC 5813: AGN Shocks, Feedback, and Outburst History

We present results from a very deep (650 ks) Chandra X-ray observation of the galaxy group NGC~5813, the deepest Chandra observation of a galaxy group to date. Earlier observations showed two pairs of cavities distributed roughly collinearly, with each pair associated with an elliptical shock front. The new observations confirm a third pair of outer cavities, collinear with the other pairs, and reveal an associated outer outburst shock at ~30 kpc. This system is therefore unique in exhibiting three cavity pairs, each associated with an unambiguous AGN outburst shock front. The implied mean kinetic power is roughly the same for each outburst, demonstrating that the average AGN kinetic luminosity can remain stable over long timescales (~50 Myr). The two older outbursts have larger, roughly equal total energies as compared with the youngest outburst, implying that the youngest outburst is ongoing. We find that the radiative cooling rate and the mean shock heating rate of the gas are well balanced at each shock front, suggesting that AGN outburst shock heating alone is sufficient to offset cooling and establish AGN/ICM feedback within at least the central 30 kpc. This heating takes place roughly isotropically and most strongly at small radii, as is required for feedback to operate. We suggest that shock heating may play a significant role in AGN feedback at smaller radii in other systems, where weak shocks are more difficult to detect. We find non-zero shock front widths that are too large to be explained by particle diffusion. Instead, all measured widths are consistent with shock broadening due to propagation through a turbulent ICM with a mean turbulent speed of ~70 km/s. Finally, we place lower limits on the temperature of any volume-filling thermal gas within the cavities that would balance the internal cavity pressure with the external ICM.