SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Cluster Dynamics”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1985

The Virgo cluster redshift survey

A complete (99 percent) velocity survey is presented of the 471 galaxies brighter than m(pg) = 15.5 that are within the 6-deg radius of the central region of the Virgo cluster. There are 602 galaxies with measured velocities in the 6-deg circle, of which about 362 have the velocities lower than 3000 km/s and are assumed to be cluster members. From the velocity data, the cluster luminosity function was derived, and the mean Virgo velocity (for the Hubble constant and Virgo infall calculations) was calculated. In addition, the velocity data were used to study internal dynamics of the Virgo cluster.

Huchra, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Improved models for the evolution of the coma cluster of galaxies

The analysis by Fitchett & Webster of the observations of the Coma Cluster of galaxies has demonstrated that the center of the Coma Cluster consists of two subclusters. Therefore, it is important to construct realistic dynamical models of a galaxy cluster with two mass centers.

dark↗

NASA NTRS1982

What has happened in the cores of globular clusters

It is found that some aspects of the observed data for globular cluster cores cannot be easily explained in terms of the existing theory of dynamical evolution. It is noted that globular clusters span only a factor of 40 in core mass, while ranging over a factor of 10 to the 6th in central density, an observation that cannot be explained as a selection effect. A strong correlation is found between the central density and the distance of a cluster from the galactic center. In addition, when cluster cores are evolved backward in time in their initial conditions, using the available theory of dynamical evolution, evidence emerges that many clusters have already undergone core collapse, for which no evolutionary theory exists. It is concluded that these results indicate the incompleteness of the theory of dynamical evolution.

Lightman, A. P.↗

NASA NTRS1976

The dynamics of the intergalactic medium in the vicinity of clusters of galaxies

Numerical solutions to the problem of infall of matter into clusters of galaxies are presented. It is assumed that the universe can be described by a Friedmann cosmological model with a Hubble constant 50 km/s/Mpc. It is found that physically reasonable models having a deceleration parameter of 1/2 lead to excessive X-ray emission from clusters of galaxies. Models including a heat flux due to thermal conduction, heating of the intracluster medium by galaxy motions, and a gas outflow from the galaxies in the cluster are discussed, and the results are compared with the observational data in both the X-ray and radio bands. It is concluded that the density parameter must be less than 0.2 in order that the predicted X-ray emission not exceed that observed. No models have been found which give a good description of the observed cluster X-ray sources, with the exception of a fully adiabatic model in a high-density universe.

Lea, S. M.↗

NASA NTRS2005

MASS CONTENT AND DYNAMICAL STATE OF 3 OPTICALLY SELECTED HIGH-Z CLUSTERS

As part of our analysis of the Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of the high redshift, optically selected cluster ElS0954-2023/22, we have identified Chandra sources in the field and measured their count rate and fluxes. From the 15 ksec Chandra ACIS-S observation, we detected eleven X-ray sources. Their positions and count rates are listed below. Our analysis also shows faint diffuse emission associated with the optically identified cluster. This information was used in a joint analysis of the XMM-Newton observation of the cluster emission to determine the luminosity and temperature of the diffuse cluster gas.

Mushotzky, Richard F.↗

NASA NTRS1985

An X-ray study of the Centaurus Cluster of galaxies using Einstein

Einstein Imaging Proportional Counter observations of the core of the Centaurus Cluster of galaxies have been analyzed to map the 0.5-3.5 keV surface brightness and temperature of the intracluster gas. The emission is centered on NGC 4696, the elliptical galaxy believed to be at or near the dynamical center of the cluster. Because the X-ray-emitting gas responds to the gravitational potential of the cluster, the observations may be used to measure the total mass distribution around the central region. It is shown that the gas is very likely in hydrostatic equilibrium. It is found that surrounding NGC 4696, like M87 at the center of the Virgo Cluster, is a dark, massive halo, with a gravitating mass of about 2 x 10 to the 13th M out to a radius of about 20 arcmin (or 200 kpc for H(o) = 50 km/s Mpc). The elliptical galaxy NGC 4709, at the core of a more distant cluster, is also detected with a luminosity of 2 x 10 to the 40th ergs per sec.

Matilsky, T.↗

NASA NTRS1988

On infall into the Virgo cluster

The history of the study of the Galaxy's motion with respect to the Local Supercluster is reviewed. Direct measurements of the infall pattern suggest an infall component at the Local Group of about 250 km/s. This value is consistent with that expected if the average mass-to-light ratio of galaxies is similar to that dynamically measured in galaxy clusters, a value that gives an Omega of only about 0.3. The infall pattern is also consistent with galaxy density maps produced by IRAS surveys, although it may be only marginally consistent with the 'Great Attractor'. On smaller scales, there is strong evidence that most of the spiral galaxies near the cluster core are still falling in. Using the best distance estimates to the Virgo cluster, the local value of the Hubble constant is about 85 km/s/Mpc.

Huchra, John P.↗

NASA NTRS1982

A morphological classification of clusters of galaxies from Einstein images

The earliest Uhuru observations showed that cluster X-ray sources were not associated with single individual galaxies but were extended sources. It has only been with the advent of the Einstein X-ray imaging observatory that a first look at cluster X-ray morphology and classification has been possible. The proposed classification system divides clusters into two families, including those with and those without X-ray dominant galaxies. Within each family, the dynamical indicators display a full range of values. One subgroup of clusters is those whose X-ray emission is not regular and which do not contain an X-ray dominant galaxy. One of the brighter, nearer and best studied members of this class is Al367. From the X-ray imaging observations, four clusters have been discovered to have double structure in their surface brightness distributions. The Coma cluster is the archtype of an evolved, fully relaxed cluster. Ellipticals in the Virgo core include M87, M86, and M84. It is concluded that the cluster images are useful in determining the cluster family and the cluster's dynamical state.

Jones, C.↗

NASA NTRS1994

A simulation of the intracluster medium with feedback from cluster galaxies

We detail method and report first results from a three-dimensional hydrodynamical and N-body simulation of the formation and evolution of a Coma-sized cluster of galaxies, with the intent of studying the history of the hot, X-ray emitting intracluster medium. Cluster gas, galaxies, and dark matter are included in the model. The galaxies and dark matter fell gravitational forces; the cluster gas also undergoes hydrodynamical effects such as shock heating and PdV work. For the first time in three dimensions, we include modeling of ejection of processed gas from the simulated galaxies by winds, including heating and heavy element enrichment. For comparison, we employ a `pure infall' simulation using the same initial conditions but with no galaxies or winds. We employ an extreme ejection history for galactic feedback in order to define the boundary of likely models. As expected, feedback raises the entropy of the intracluster gas, preventing it from collapsing to densities as high as those attained in the infall model. The effect is more pronounced in subclusters formed at high redshift. The cluster with feedback is always less X-ray luminous, but experiences more rapid luminosity evolution, than the pure infall cluster. Even employing an extreme ejection model, the final gas temperature is only approximately 15% larger than in the infall model. The radial temperature profile is very nearly isothermal within 1.5 Mpc. The cluster galaxies in the feedback model have a velocity dispersion approximately 15% lower than the dark matter. This results in the true ratio of specific energies in galaxies to gas being less than one, beta(sub spec) approximately 0.7. The infall model predicts beta(sub spec) approximately 1.2. Large excursions in these values occur over time, following the complex dynamical history of the cluster. The morphology of the X-ray emission is little affected by feedback. The emission profiles of both clusters are well described by the standard beta-model with beta(sub fit) approximately equal to 0.7 - 0.9. X-ray mass estimates based on the assumptions of hydrostatic equilibrium and the applicability of the beta-model are quite accurate in both cases. A strong, radial iron abundance gradient is present, which develops as a consequence of the steepening of the galaxy density profile over time. Spectroscopic observations using nonimaging detectors with wide (approximately 45 min) fields of view dramatically smear the gradient. Observations with arcminute resolution, made available with the ASCA satellite, would readily resolve the gradient.

Metzler, Christopher A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Radiative accretion of intracluster gas onto dominant galaxies in poor clusters

An analysis of X-ray images of MKW 4, MKW 3, AMW 4, and AMW 7 indicates that the hot gas in poor clusters is cooling and accreting onto the central, dominant galaxies. The deprojection technique of Fabian et al (1980) is applied to deduce the detailed density and temperature profiles for a wide range of assumed parameters. For each cluster, the mass accretion rates computed vary by less than a factor of 2 over the full range of the assumed parameters. Examinations of the gas and light density profiles, and of the effects of contraction of the gravitational potential, lead to the conclusion that the high gas densities giving rise to cooling flows are not primarily the result of dynamical evolution of the cluster, especially the merger of galaxies to form the dominant galaxy. Instead, the general initial condition of high material density favors both mergers and cooling flows.

Stewart, G. C.↗

NASA NTRS2005

The Physics of Cooling Flow Clusters with Central Radio Sources

Central galaxies in rich clusters are the sites of cluster cooling flows, with large masses of gas cooling through part of the X-ray band. Many of these galaxies host powerful radio sources. These sources can displace and compress the X-ray gas leading to enhanced cooling and star formation. We observed the bright cooling flow Abell 2626 with a strangely distorted central radio source. We wished to understand the interaction of radio and X-ray thermal plasma, and to determine the dynamical nature of this cluster. One aim was to constrain the source of additional pressure in radio "holes" in the X-ray emission needed to support overlying shells of X-ray gas. We also aimed to study the problem of the lack of kT < 1-2 keV gas in cooling flows by searching for abundance inhomogeneities, heating from the radio source, and excess absorption. We also have a Chandra observation of this cluster. There were problems with the pipeline processing of this data due to a telemetry dropout. We are publishing the Chandra and XMM data together. Delays with the Chandra data have slowed up the publication. At the center of the cluster, there is a complex interaction of the odd, Z-shaped radio source, and the X-ray plasma. However, there are no clear radio bubbles. Also, the cluster SO galaxy IC 5337, which is projected 1.5 arcmin west of the cluster center, has unusual tail-like structures in both the radio and X-ray. It appears to be falling into the cluster center. There is a hot, probably shocked region of gas to the southwest, which is apparently due to the merger of a subcluster in this part of the system. There is also a merging subcluster to the northeast. The axes of these two mergers agrees with a supercluster filament structure.

Sarazin, Craig L.↗

NASA NTRS1982

X-ray-imaging observations of clusters of galaxies

Einstein X-ray imaging observations, made to illustrate the variety of phenomena that can be considered through X-ray image analysis, are presented. Attention is given to general cluster properties and intracluster gas. Individual clusters are discussed (considering classification and dynamical evolution), and X-ray images are used to determine cluster mass distribution and to examine distant clusters. X-ray observations have contributed information in regard to processes affecting galaxies, the intracluster medium, and the cluster itself. Analyses have traced massive halos around dominant galaxies in unevolved clusters, and have helped define the cluster gravitational potential. In addition, multi-component double clusters have been discovered, and material which has been ram-pressure stripped from a hot corona around the M86 galaxy in Virgo was observed. Finally, quantitative estimates of the fractions of young and evolved clusters and determinations of total cluster mass are possible using X-ray observations.

Forman, W.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Gravitational Landau damping for an isotropic cluster of stars

The problem of ascertaining the dynamical stability and the existence of Landau damping in static, isotropic 'collisionless' star clusters is addressed. The second-order formalism of Kandrup and Sygnet (1985) is applied to a homogeneous and isotropic plasma, demonstrating formally that the unperturbed configuration will always be stable and that the modes must be purely oscillatory. The form of these modes is explicitly examined, culminating in an analytic expression for the time evolution of the density induced by an initial perturbation. It is shown how these considerations can be adapted trivially to localized, nonradial disturbances of a self-gravitating system of stars. The possible existence of gravitational Landau damping for more generic perturbations is discussed.

Habib, Salman↗

NASA NTRS1981

A molecular model for ice nucleation and growth, attachment 2

The central field empirical pair potential model is applied to studying the effects of kinks, ledges, and vacancies on the absorption of water molecules from the vapor. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that cluster and/or surface modes play a primary role in the absorption process, the flexibility of the hydrogen bond serves to decrease the energy required for structural interconversion, and the rapid distribution of added energy in a hydrogen bonded system lead to aggregate stability which greatly exceeds that predicted by static energy calculations.

Hale, B. N.↗

NASA NTRS1983

The center for astrophysics redshift survey

Major advances in the art of redshift measurements have improved the obtainable accuracy to better than 30 km/s. It is now posible to obtain a redshift for almost any galaxy brighter than 15th magnitude on a 60-inch telescope in 60 minutes or less. These advances were utilized in an observation program initiated in the spring of 1978. This program represents a survey of radial velocities for all 2400 galaxies brighter than 14.5 at high galactic latitude in the northern hemisphere. The obtained data set has been employed as a basis for a derivation of a good measure of the local mean mass density. In addition, information was obtained concerning the overdensity and the dynamics of the local supercluster, and an analysis was conducted of the dynamics of groups and clusters of galaxies within the sample volume.

Davis, M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Cosmic background radiation anisotropies in universes dominated by nonbaryonic dark matter

Detailed calculations of the temperature fluctuations in the cosmic background radiation for universes dominated by massive collisionless relics of the big bang are presented. An initially adiabatic constant curvature perturbation spectrum is assumed. In models with cold dark matter, the simplest hypothesis - that galaxies follow the mass distribution leads to small-scale anisotropies which exceed current observational limits if omega is less than 0.2 h to the -4/3. Since low values of omega are indicated by dynamical studies of galaxy clustering, cold particle models in which light traces mass are probably incorrect. Reheating of the pregalactic medium is unlikely to modify this conclusion. In cold particle or neutrino-dominated universes with omega = 1, presented predictions for small-scale and quadrupole anisotropies are below current limits. In all cases, the small-scale fluctuations are predicted to be about 10 percent linearly polarized.

Bond, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Constraints on dark matter from cosmic background anisotropies

The major stages in the linear evolution of the statistical ensemble of adiabatic fluctuations in radiation, baryons, and dark matter are discussed. If it is assumed that the distribution of light emitters (i.e., of galaxies) follows the distribution of mass (i.e., of dark matter), then universes dominated by massive collisionless relics of the Big Bang must have Omega larger than 0.2 h exp -4/3 to avoid exceeding the current observational limits on small-scale anisotropies in the microwave background. However, values of Omega of about 0.2 are indicated by dynamical studies of galaxy clustering. It is concluded that universes dominated by cold dark matter in which light traces mass are probably not viable models.

Bond, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Microphysics of the auroral acceleration region of other regions of the magnetosphere

Electric field and plasma measurements pertinent to the microphysics of the auroral acceleration region are reviewed. Observations in other regions of the magnetosphere, which appear to involve similar physical processes, are summarized in order to emphasize the requirement on Cluster instrumentation for wide dynamic range, high time resolution, time domain field, and particle measurements. It is suggested that the microphysics of current driven instabilities in the auroral acceleration region is duplicated in the high latitude boundary of the plasma sheet and that the macroscale structure of the tail is determined by this microphysics.

Mozer, F. S.↗