X-raying Abell 2125 -- a Large-scale Hierarchical Complex of Galaxies and Hot Gas

Abstract

We present an 82 ksec Chandra ACIS-I observation of a large-scale hierarchical complex, which consists of various clusters/groups of galaxies and low-surface brightness X-ray emission at z = 0.247. This high-resolution {\sl Chandra} observation allows us for the first time to separate unambiguously the X-ray contributions from discrete sources and large-scale diffuse hot gas. We detect 99 X-ray sources in a $17^\prime \times 17^\prime$ field. Ten of these sources are identified as members of the complex and are mostly radio-bright. Whereas unresolved X-ray sources tend to be associated with galaxies in intermediate density environments, extended X-ray emission peak at bright radio galaxies in the central cluster. In particular, a distinct X-ray trail appears on one side of the fast-moving galaxy C153, clearly due to ram-pressure stripping. The diffuse X-ray emission from the central cluster can be characterized by a thermal plasma with a characteristic temperature of $3.2_{-0.4}^{+0.5}$ keV and a heavy element abundance of $0.24_{-0.12}^{+0.15}$ solar (90% confidence uncertainties). In comparison, a patch of low-surface brightness X-ray emission apparently originates in relatively low density intergalactic gas with a characteristic temperature of $0.98_{-0.27}^{+0.22}$ keV and an abundance of $\lesssim 0.09$ solar. The Chandra observation, together with extensive multi-wavelength data, indicates that the complex represents a projection of several galaxy sub-structures, which may be undergoing major mergers. We discuss the dynamic states of the complex and its sub-structures as well as properties of X-ray-emitting galaxies and the relationship to their environments.