Cluster of galaxies as a probe of the intergalactic medium

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (16) References (52) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Clusters of galaxies as a probe of the intergalactic medium. Forman, W. ; Jones, C. ; Tucker, W. Abstract The use of galactic clusters as probes of the intercluster medium is discussed, and the effects of a postulated hot intercluster medium on the diffuse gas associated with clusters of galaxies is examined. It is shown that diffuse intracluster gas, which is observed at X-ray wavelengths, is a powerful probe of intergalactic space. The consequences of conduction are explored and the existence and properties of the intracluster gas are used to constrain the temperature and density of a uniform gas filling the universe. The effects of a nonuniform medium on the results are discussed and it is shown that for plausible scenarios the evaporative mass loss rates are insensitive to changes in the density and temperature of the intracluster medium in the vicinity of clusters. The parameters such a gas would have to have in order to explain the larger energy per unit mass found in the intracluster gas compared to that in galaxies are calculated. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: February 1984 DOI: 10.1086/161666 Bibcode: 1984ApJ...277...19F Keywords: Cosmic Gases; Galactic Clusters; Gas Temperature; Intergalactic Media; X Ray Astronomy; Gas Density; Gas Heating; Heat Transfer; High Temperature Gases; Luminosity; Red Shift; Temperature Profiles; Astrophysics full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (5) NED (4)