Tides, Interactions, and Fine-Scale Substructures in Galaxy Clusters

Abstract

We present the results of a study on galaxy interactions, tides, and other processes which produce luminous fine-scale substructures in the galaxy clusters: Coma, Perseus, Abell 2199, AWM 3 and AWM 5. All unusual structures in these clusters can be categorized in seven morphologies: interacting galaxies, multiple galaxies (non-interacting), distorted galaxies, tailed galaxies, line galaxies, dwarf galaxy groups and galaxy aggregates. The various morphologies are described, and a catalog is presented of 248 objects in these five clusters along with color, and positional information obtained from CCD images taken with the WIYN 3.5m telescope in broadband B and R filters. Distorted, interacting, and fine-scale substructures have a range of colors extending from blue objects with B-R $\approx$ 0, to redder colors at B-R $\approx$ 2.5. We also find that the structures with the most disturbed morphology have the bluest colors. Additionally, the relative number distributions of these structures suggests that two separate classes of galaxy clusters exist: one dominated by distorted structures and the other dominated by galaxy associations. The Coma and Perseus clusters, respectively, are proposed as models for these types of clusters. Possible mechanisms for the production of fine-scale substructure are reviewed and compared to observations of z $\approx$ 0.4 Butcher-Oemler clusters. We conclude, based on color, positional, and statistical data, that the most likely mechanism for the creation of these structures is through an interaction with the gravitational potential of the cluster, possibly coupled with effects of high speed interactions with large cluster ellipticals.