Clusters of galaxies are embedded in halos of weakly magnetized plasma at the system's virial temperature. Though mainly pressure supported,such intracluster medium (ICM) might rotate significantly. Currently available measures of X-ray emission lines, X-ray isophote flattening and hydrostatic mass bias leave ample room for rotational motions. If the ICM rotates significantly, its stability properties are substantially modified and, in particular, the magnetorotational instability (MRI) can play an important role. We present simple models of rotating cool-core clusters and we demonstrate that the MRI can be the dominant instability over significant portions of the clusters, with possible implications for the dynamics of the cool cores. The direct measures of the ICM rotation that will be obtained with ATHENA will allow us to gauge the importance of the MRI for the evolution of galaxy clusters.

Magnetorotational instability in galaxy clusters: looking forward to ATHENA

NIPOTI, CARLO;POSTI, LORENZO;
2015

Abstract

Clusters of galaxies are embedded in halos of weakly magnetized plasma at the system's virial temperature. Though mainly pressure supported,such intracluster medium (ICM) might rotate significantly. Currently available measures of X-ray emission lines, X-ray isophote flattening and hydrostatic mass bias leave ample room for rotational motions. If the ICM rotates significantly, its stability properties are substantially modified and, in particular, the magnetorotational instability (MRI) can play an important role. We present simple models of rotating cool-core clusters and we demonstrate that the MRI can be the dominant instability over significant portions of the clusters, with possible implications for the dynamics of the cool cores. The direct measures of the ICM rotation that will be obtained with ATHENA will allow us to gauge the importance of the MRI for the evolution of galaxy clusters.
2015
.
42
42
Nipoti, Carlo; Posti, Lorenzo; Ettori, Stefano; Bianconi, Matteo
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/550864
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