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ABSTRACT Abell 407 (A407) is a unique galaxy cluster hosting a central compact group of nine galaxies (named as ‘Zwicky’s Nonet’; G1–G9 in this work) within a 30 kpc radius region. The cluster core also hosts a luminous radio active galactic nucleus (AGN), 4C 35.06 with helically twisted jets extending over 200 kpc. With a 44 ks Chandra observation of A407, we characterize the X-ray properties of its intracluster medium and central galaxies. The mean X-ray temperature of A407 is 2.7 keV and the M200 is $$1.9 \times 10^{14}\, {\mathrm{M}_{\odot }}$$. We suggest that A407 has a weak cool core at r < 60 kpc scales and at its very centre, <1–2 kpc radius, a small galaxy corona associated with the strong radio AGN. We also conclude that the AGN 4C 35.06 host galaxy is most likely G3. We suggest that the central group of galaxies is undergoing a ‘slow merge’ procedure. The range of the merging time-scale is 0.3 ∼ 2.3 Gyr and the stellar mass of the future brightest cluster galaxy (BCG) will be $$7.4\times 10^{11} \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$$. We find that the regions that overlap with the radio jets have higher temperature and metallicity. This is consistent with AGN feedback activity. The central entropy is higher than that for other clusters, which may be due to the AGN feedback and/or merging activity. With all these facts, we suggest that A407 is a unique and rare system in the local universe that could help us to understand the formation of a massive BCG.
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This content will become publicly available on January 22, 2026
Can Active Galactic Nuclei Activity Be Enhanced by Ram Pressure Stripping?—X-Ray Perspective
Abstract Ram pressure stripping (RPS) is an important process that plays a significant role in shaping the evolution of cluster galaxies and their surrounding environment. Despite its recognized significance, the potential connection between RPS and active galactic nuclei (AGN) activity in cluster galaxies remains poorly understood. Recent claims, based on optical emission-line diagnostics, have suggested such a connection. Here, we investigate this relationship from an X-ray perspective, using a sample of galaxies undergoing RPS in four nearby galaxy clusters: A1656, A1367, A426, and A3627. This study is the first to test such a connection from an X-ray standpoint. Our analysis reveals no signs of enhanced X-ray AGN activity in our sample, with most RPS galaxies (~90%) showing X-ray luminosities below 1041erg s−1in their central point sources. Moreover, there is no noticeable difference in X-ray AGN activity among RPS galaxies compared to a control sample of non-RPS galaxies, as demonstrated by the similar X-ray luminosities observed in their central point sources. While the most luminous X-ray AGN in our sample is found in ESO 137-002, a galaxy undergoing RPS in A3627, there is no evidence for a widespread enhancement of X-ray AGN activity due to RPS. Given the limited sample size of our study, this could also indicate that either the X-ray AGN enhancement from RPS is at most weak or the timescale for the X-ray AGN enhancement is short. This emphasizes the need for further investigations with larger X-ray samples to better understand the impact of RPS on AGN activity in cluster galaxies.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2407821
- PAR ID:
- 10629720
- Publisher / Repository:
- IOP Publishing
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- The Astrophysical Journal
- Volume:
- 979
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 0004-637X
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 134
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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