Waking the monster: The onset of AGN feedback in galaxy clusters hosting young central radio galaxies

Ubertosi, F; Gitti, M.; Brighenti, F.; Olivares, V; O'Sullivan, E.; Schellenberger, G.

Abstract

Aims. The investigation of the feedback cycle in galaxy clusters has historically been performed for systems where feedback is ongoing ("mature-feedback" clusters), that is where the central radio galaxy has inflated radio lobes, pushing aside the intracluster medium (ICM). In this pilot study, we present results from "pre-feedback" clusters, where the central newly active radio galaxies (age < 10(3) yr) may not yet have had time to alter the thermodynamic state of the ICM.Methods. We analyze Chandra and MUSE observations of two such systems, evaluating the hot gas entropy and cooling time profiles, and characterizing the morphology and kinematics of the warm gas.Results. Based on our exploratory study of these two sources, we find that the hot gas meets the expectations for an as of yet unheated ICM. Specifically, the entropy and cooling time of pre-feedback clusters within 20 kpc from the center fall below those of mature-feedback clusters by a factor similar to 2. We speculate that with an estimated mechanical power of similar to 10(44) - 10(45) erg s(-1), the two young radio galaxies may restore the entropy levels in a few tens of millions of years, which are typical values of power outbursts and lifetimes for radio galaxies in clusters. Conversely, the properties of the gas at similar to 10(4) K seem to remain invariant between the two feedback stages, possibly suggesting that the warm gas reservoir accumulates over long periods (10(7) - 10(8) yr) during the growth of the radio galaxy. We conclude that the exploratory results obtained from our analysis of two cluster-central young radio galaxies are crucial in the context of understanding the onset of active galactic nuclei feedback, and they provide enough motivation for further investigation of similar cases.

Más información

Título según WOS: ID WOS:000981173300006 Not found in local WOS DB
Título de la Revista: ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
Volumen: 673
Editorial: EDP SCIENCES S A
Fecha de publicación: 2023
DOI:

10.1051/0004-6361/202345894

Notas: ISI