Questions tagged [galaxy-clusters]

This tag is for questions relating to the galaxy cluster or the cluster of galaxies, gravitationally bound grouping of galaxies, numbering from the hundreds to the tens of thousands. The important fact about it is that , collisions between galaxy clusters provide a unique opportunity to study matter in a parameter space which cannot be explored in our laboratories on Earth.

Galaxies are the building blocks of the universe. Clusters of galaxies, and clusters of clusters of galaxies, called superclusters, make up the structures in the geography of the universe.
$~~~~~~~~~$A galaxy cluster, or cluster of galaxies, is a structure that consists of anywhere from hundreds to thousands of galaxies that are bound together by gravity with typical masses ranging from $10^{14}–10^{15}$ solar masses. They are the largest known gravitationally bound structures in the universe and were believed to be the largest known structures in the universe until the $1980$s, when superclusters were discovered.
Large clusters of galaxies often exhibit extensive X-ray emission from intergalactic gas heated to tens of millions of degrees. Also, interactions of galaxies with each other and with the intra-cluster gas may deplete galaxies of their own interstellar gas. The Milky Way Galaxy belongs to the Local Group, which lies on the outskirts of the Virgo Cluster.

References:
Molnar S. M., $(2016)$ Cluster Physics with Merging Galaxy Clusters, Front. Astron. Space Sci. $\bf{2}$ $:7$.
Galaxies, Clusters, and Superclusters
Four Galaxy Clusters

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Ideal Gas Law in a Rotating Galaxy Cluster

There is evidence that some galaxy clusters may experience some bulk rotation. If this is true, how valid is it to use the Ideal Gas Law to estimate the mass (actually, it calculates the acceleration needed to create the pressure gradient - from…
user32023
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Understanding X-Ray emitting gas calculations in Galaxy Clusters

This is a follow up to a question I asked about the Bullet (and Coma) cluster. I've read several papers now about the fact that galaxy clusters collect overdense areas of hydrogen which emits X-ray radiation. These overdense areas can make up close…
user32023
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Do galaxy clusters follow De Vaucouleurs' law?

Do galaxy clusters follow De Vaucouleurs' law? If objects in the universe are built hierarchically, wouldn't one expect a galaxy cluster that is roughly spherical to follow the same profile as an elliptical galaxy?
user32023
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The formula for the hydrostatic equilibrium of a rotating mass of gas

This is a follow up question to Hydrostatic Equilibrium in a Galaxy Cluster. Is this a reasonable estimate of the hydrostatic equilibrium equation for a spinning mass of gas? $$\frac{v(r)^2}{r} - \frac{kT(r)}{wm_pr}\left[\frac{d\ln \rho_X(r)}{d\ln…
user32023
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Hydrostatic Equilibrium in Galaxy Clusters

One of the methods of mass calculation in Galaxy Clusters is to make a profile of the X-Ray gas and then (after several assumptions) assume hydrostatic equilibrium: the force pushing down on the gas (gravity) is equal to the amount of force pushing…
user32023
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Why does the gas in the Bullet Cluster act like a lens?

In the Bullet Cluster, we have two well defined galaxy clusters that exhibit gravity lensing. Between them is a mass of gas (mostly hydrogen and helium) that is roughly eight to nine times the mass of the two galaxies. The mass of gas doesn't…
user32023