Cold fronts and shocks formed by gas streams in galaxy clusters. Issue 1 (17th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zinger, E; Dekel, A; Birnboim, Y; Nagai, D; Lau, E; Kravtsov, A V
• Is Part Of: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Volume 476:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 56
• Page End: 70
• Publication Date: 2018-01-17
• Subjects: galaxies: clusters: general -- galaxies: clusters: intracluster medium; Astronomy -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 520.5
• DOI: 10.1093/mnras/sty136
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0035-8711

Abstract

Abstract: Cold fronts (CFs) and shocks are hallmarks of the complex intra-cluster medium (ICM) in galaxy clusters. They are thought to occur due to gas motions within the ICM and are often attributed to galaxy mergers within the cluster. Using hydro-cosmological simulations of clusters of galaxies, we show that collisions of inflowing gas streams, seen to penetrate to the very centre of about half the clusters, offer an additional mechanism for the formation of shocks and CFs in cluster cores. Unlike episodic merger events, a gas stream inflow persists over a period of several Gyr and it could generate a particular pattern of multiple CFs and shocks.