Ram-Pressure Stripping of the Multiphase Interstellar Medium of the Virgo Cluster Elliptical Galaxy M86 (NGC 4406)

We have analyzed the available infrared (IRAS), optical, and X-ray (Einstein Observatory) data on the elliptical galaxy M86 which is experiencing strong ram-pressure stripping in the intracluster medium of the Virgo Cluster. We find a significant component of infrared 60 micron emission displaced from the center of the galaxy. The displaced 60 micron emission lies on the optical major axis of the galaxy in the direction of perturbations to the optical isophotes and is coincident with a small feature in X-ray emission southwest of the X-ray plume. We interpret the displaced infrared emission in terms of collisionally heated dust exposed to hot gas where ram pressure and turbulence are disrupting the stripped interstellar medium of the galaxy. The displacement of the outer optical isophotes in the direction of the stripped gas is suggested to be due to reflection of starlight on the dust grains. Ram pressure has separated and exposed the various components of the multiphase interstellar medium of M86, enabling these constituents to be identified and analyzed separately for the first time in an elliptical galaxy.