Cold gas in the Intra Cluster Medium: implications for flow dynamics and powering optical nebulae

Abstract

We show that the mechanical energy injection rate generated as the intra-cluster medium (ICM) flows around cold clouds may be sufficient to power the optical and near infra-red emission of nebulae observed in the central regions of a sample of seven galaxy clusters. The energy injection rate is extremely sensitive to the velocity difference between the ICM and cold clouds, which may help to explain why optical and infra-red luminosity is often larger than expected in systems containing AGNs. We also find that mass recycling is likely to be important for the dynamics of the ICM. This effect will be strongest in the central regions of clusters where there is more than enough cold gas for its evaporation to contribute significantly to the density of the hot phase.

8 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

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• Mass transport by buoyant bubbles in galaxy clusters
• Molecular Tracers of Filamentary CO Emission Regions Surrounding the Central Galaxies of Clusters
• First observations of CN(2-1), HCO${}^{+}$(3-2) and C${}_2$H(3-2) emission lines in the Perseus cluster: constraints on heating mechanisms in the cluster gas
• H2 MAGIE: H2 as a Major Agent to Galaxy Interaction and Evolution