GAS DENSITY DISCONTINUITIES IN MERGING CLUSTERS

One of the interesting Chandra discoveries is the existence of sharp gasdensity edges in some galaxy clusters. There are two different types of suchfeatures, depending on the sign of their temperature jump: a contactdiscontinuity and a merger bow shock. Both phenomena offer unique insights intothe cluster physics, including determining the gas bulk velocity, itsacceleration, growth of plasma instabilities, strength and structure ofmagnetic fields, and thermal conductivity. The nearby clusters A3376 and A3158are striking examples of such edges. We propose to combine the approved Chandrahighresolution imaging with accurate temperature measurements across theseedges with EPIC, which will enable a quantitative study of the ICM physics. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]

Chandra望远镜的一项引人注目的发现是某些星系团中存在尖锐的气体密度边缘。此类特征根据其温度跳跃的符号可分为两种类型：接触不连续和合并弓形激波。这两种现象均能为我们提供关于星系团物理学的独特见解，包括确定气体的总体速度、其加速度、等离子体不稳定性增长、磁场强度及其结构以及热导率。邻近的星系团A3376和A3158便是此类边缘的显著例证。我们计划将获得批准的Chandra高分辨率成像与EPIC进行的准确温度测量相结合，从而实现对星系团内气体物理学的定量研究。详情请参阅实际数据[详情请参阅实际数据]。