Projects per year
Abstract
We present multifrequency observations of the radio galaxy Hydra-A
(3C218) located in the core of a massive, X-ray luminous galaxy cluster.
Integral field unit spectroscopy is used to trace the kinematics of the
ionized and warm molecular hydrogen which are consistent with an
˜5 kpc rotating disc. Broad, double-peaked lines of CO(2-1), [C
II] 157 μm and [O I] 63 μm are detected. We estimate the mass of
the cold gas within the disc to be Mgas = 2.3 ± 0.3
× 109 M⊙. These observations demonstrate
that the complex line profiles found in the cold atomic and molecular
gas are related to the rotating disc or ring of gas. Finally, a Hubble
Space Telescope image of the galaxy shows that this gas disc contains a
substantial mass of dust. The large gas mass, star formation rate and
kinematics are consistent with the levels of gas cooling from the
intracluster medium (ICM). We conclude that the cold gas originates from
the continual quiescent accumulation of cooled ICM gas. The rotation is
in a plane perpendicular to the projected orientation of the radio jets
and ICM cavities hinting at a possible connection between the kpc-scale
cooling gas and the accretion of material on to the black hole. We
discuss the implications of these observations for models of cold
accretion, AGN feedback and cooling flows.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 862-878 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |
Volume | 437 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 13 Nov 2013 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2014 |
Keywords
- galaxies: clusters: individual: Hydra-A
- galaxies: clusters: intracluster medium
- galaxies: elliptical and lenticular
- cD
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Cold gas dynamics in Hydra-A: evidence for a rotating disc'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
-
Research in planetary physics, astrophysics and cosmology at Bristol
Birkinshaw, M. (Principal Investigator)
1/04/12 → 1/04/15
Project: Research