arXiv · astro-ph/0204324
Recent Dynamical Evolution of Galaxy Clusters
Abstract
Evidence is presented for a recent evolution of the relaxation processes in clusters of galaxies, using large optical and X-ray cluster samples. The criteria of the cluster relaxation used are the cluster ellipticity, the ICM temperature and X-ray cluster luminosity. We find evidence of varying strength and significance of all three indicators evolving with redshift for z <0.15. This result supports the view that clusters have mostly stopped undergoing mergers and accreting matter, as expected in a low-Omega_matter Universe, and are now in the process of gravitational relaxation, which reduces their flattening, their ICM temperature (shock heated during the merging phase), and their X-ray luminosity. These results support similar recent claims of Melott, Chambers and Miller (2001).
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Manolis Plionis. 2002-04-18. Recent Dynamical Evolution of Galaxy Clusters. https://doi.org/10.1086/341366
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