Magnetic fields in cluster cores: Faraday rotation in A400 and A2634

被引:101
作者
Eilek, JA [1 ]
Owen, FN
机构
[1] New Mexico Inst Min & Technol, Dept Phys, Socorro, NM 87801 USA
[2] Natl Radio Astron Observ, Socorro, NM 87801 USA
基金
美国国家科学基金会;
关键词
galaxies; clusters; individual; (Abell; 400; Abell; 2634); galaxies : magnetic fields; magnetic fields; radio continuum : galaxies;
D O I
10.1086/338376
中图分类号
P1 [天文学];
学科分类号
0704 ;
摘要
We present Faraday rotation data for radio sources in the centers of the Abell clusters A400 and A2634. These clusters contain large (greater than or similar to100 kpc), tailed radio sources, each attached to the central cD galaxy. These clusters do not have strong cooling cores. Our data extend previous work on rotation measure in cluster centers to larger scales and noncooling clusters. The rotation measure, and thus the magnetic field, is ordered on scales similar to10-20 kpc in both clusters. The geometry of the rotation measure appears to be determined by the distribution of the X-ray-emitting gas, rather than by the radio tails themselves. We combine our data with previously published X-ray and radio data in order to analyze the magnetic fields in all 12 clusters whose central radio sources have been imaged in rotation measure. We find that the fields are dynamically significant in most clusters. We argue that the Faraday data measure fields in the intracluster medium, rather than in a skin of the radio source. Finally, we consider the nature and maintenance of the magnetic fields in these clusters and conclude that either the cluster-wide field exists at similar levels or a weaker cluster-wide field is amplified by effects in the core.
引用
收藏
页码:202 / 220
页数:19
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