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Extreme AGN feedback in the MAssive Cluster Survey: a detailed study of X-ray cavities at z>0.3

Hlavacek-Larrondo, J.; Fabian, A.C.; Edge, A.C.; Ebeling, H.; Sanders, J.S.; Hogan, M.T.; Taylor, G.B.

Extreme AGN feedback in the MAssive Cluster Survey: a detailed study of X-ray cavities at z>0.3 Thumbnail


Authors

J. Hlavacek-Larrondo

A.C. Fabian

H. Ebeling

J.S. Sanders

M.T. Hogan

G.B. Taylor



Abstract

We present the first statistical study of X-ray cavities in distant clusters of galaxies (z > 0.3). With the aim of providing further insight into how active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback operates at higher redshift, we have analysed the Chandra X-ray observations of the MAssive Cluster Survey (MACS) and searched for surface brightness depressions associated with the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG). The MACS sample consists of the most X-ray luminous clusters within 0.3 ≤z≤ 0.7 (median LX, RASS= 7 × 1044 erg s−1), and out of 76 clusters, we find 13 with ‘clear’ cavities and seven with ‘potential’ cavities (detection rate ∼25 per cent). Most of the clusters in which we find cavities have a short central cooling time below 3–5 Gyr, consistent with the idea that cavities sit predominantly in cool core clusters. We also find no evidence for evolution in any of the cavity properties with redshift, up to z∼ 0.6. The cavities of powerful outbursts are not larger (or smaller) at higher redshift, and are not able to rise to further (or lesser) distances from the nucleus. The energetics of these outbursts also remain the same. This suggests that extreme ‘radio mode’ feedback (Lmech > 1044 erg s−1) starts to operate as early as 7–8 Gyr after the big bang and shows no sign of evolution since then. In other words, AGNs lying at the centre of clusters are able to operate at early times with extreme mechanical powers, and have been operating in such a way for at least the past 5 Gyr.

Citation

Hlavacek-Larrondo, J., Fabian, A., Edge, A., Ebeling, H., Sanders, J., Hogan, M., & Taylor, G. (2012). Extreme AGN feedback in the MAssive Cluster Survey: a detailed study of X-ray cavities at z>0.3. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 421(2), 1360-1384. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.20405.x

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Apr 1, 2012
Deposit Date Apr 8, 2013
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Print ISSN 0035-8711
Electronic ISSN 1365-2966
Publisher Royal Astronomical Society
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 421
Issue 2
Pages 1360-1384
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.20405.x
Keywords Galaxies, Clusters, Intracluster medium, Evolution, Jets, X-rays.

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Copyright Statement
This article has been accepted for publication in Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society © 2012 The Authors Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society © 2012 RAS Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.





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