The dynamics of A2125

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2004-10-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Abstract

We present 371 galaxy velocities in the field of the very rich cluster A2125 (z approximate to 0.25). These were determined using optical spectroscopy collected over several years from both the WIYN 3.5 m telescope and NOAO Mayall 4 m telescope. Prior studies at a variety of wavelengths ( radio, optical, and X-ray) have indicated that A2125 is a likely cluster-cluster merger, a scenario that we are able to test using our large velocity database. We identified 224 cluster galaxies, which were subjected to a broad range of statistical tests using both positional and velocity information to evaluate the cluster dynamics and substructure. The tests confirmed the presence of substructures within the A2125 system at high significance, demonstrating that A2125 is a complex dynamical system. Comparison of the test results with existing simulations strengthens the merger hypothesis and provides clues about the merger geometry and stage. The merger model for the system can reconcile A2125's low X-ray temperature and luminosity with its apparently high richness and might also explain A2125's high fraction of active galaxies identified in prior radio and optical studies.

Description
Keywords
galaxies : clusters : individual (A2125), galaxies : evolution, galaxies : kinematics and dynamics, CLUSTERS ABELL 2125, RICH CLUSTERS, RADIO-EMISSION, GALAXIES, SUBSTRUCTURE, POPULATIONS, CATALOG, Astronomy & Astrophysics
Citation
Miller, N., Owen, F., Hill, J., Keel, W., Ledlow, M., Oegerle, W. (2004): The Dynamics of A2125. The Astronomical Journal, 613(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/423230