Multi-waveband Observations of Dusty Abell Clusters
Abstract
Far infra-red emission is exhibited by about 12% of the rich clusters that have a dominant central galaxy; this emission is probably due to dust heated by electron collisions from the hot gas that dominates the intra-cluster medium. To test this model of gas to dust energy transfer, we have engaged in a program of multi-waveband imaging of IR-bright clusters. Here we present ROSAT PSPC observations, IRAS FRESCOs, and broad-band optical images of IR-bright clusters. The infra-red flux from these clusters is typically an order of magnitude greater than the X-ray flux from the cluster core, so it may be more important than the X-ray emission as a source of cooling for the hot gas in the core. In our attempt to verify the model, the X-ray observations are particularly important, since they allow us to determine the gas density in the cluster core and the radial temperature distribution. The analysis of these X-ray observations enable us 1) to determine if the hot gas is transferring energy to the dust, 2) to determine if the gas is cooling as a result of this transfer or maintaining its temperature through some re-heating mechanism, and 3) to investigate the possible role of mergers or stripping of gas from cluster galaxies in producing infra-red luminous clusters.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 1992
- Bibcode:
- 1992AAS...181.4507C