Fornax_cluster

Fornax Cluster

Fornax Cluster

Galaxy cluster in the constellation Fornax

Not to be confused with Furneaux Group.

The Fornax Cluster is a cluster of galaxies lying at a distance of 19 megaparsecs (62 million light-years).[3] It has an estimated mass of (7±2)×1013 solar masses,[4] making it the second richest galaxy cluster within 100 million light-years, after the considerably larger Virgo Cluster. It may be associated with the nearby Eridanus Group. It lies primarily in the constellation Fornax, with its southern boundaries partially crossing into the constellation of Eridanus, and covers an area of sky about 6° across or about 28 sq degrees.[5]

Quick Facts Observation data (Epoch J2000), Constellation(s) ...

The Fornax Cluster is a particularly valuable source of information about the evolution of such clusters due to its relatively close proximity to the Sun. It also shows the gravitational effects of a merger of a galaxy subgroup with the main galaxy group,[6] which in turn lends clues about the associated galactic superstructure.[7] At the centre of the cluster lies NGC 1399.[3] Other cluster members include NGC 1316 (the group's brightest galaxy), NGC 1365, NGC 1427A, NGC 1427 and NGC 1404.[3]

Structure

Fornax can be divided into two subclusters: the main cluster, centered on NGC 1399, and a subgroup 3 degrees to the southwest centered on the lenticular galaxy NGC 1316 that is currently in the process of infalling with the largest subcluster to merge with it, and whose galaxies are experiencing relatively strong star formation activity. [5]

Intracluster medium

As with many other galaxy clusters, Fornax intracluster medium is filled with a hot, rarefied gas that emits X-rays.[8] and contains a number of intergalactic stars, some of which have produced novae.[9]

List of cluster members

More information Designation, Coordinates (Epoch 2000) ...

(*) - Membership is uncertain

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "Inside the Fiery Furnace". Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  2. [2]
    "NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database". Results for Fornax Cluster. Retrieved 2006-10-08.
  3. [3]
    Jordán, A.; Blakeslee, J. P.; Côté, P.; Ferrarese, L.; Infante, L.; Mei, S.; Merritt, D.; Peng, E. W.; et al. (June 2006). "The ACS Fornax Cluster Survey. I. Introduction to the Survey and Data Reduction Procedures". The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. 452 (1): 141–153. arXiv:astro-ph/0702320. Bibcode:2007ApJS..169..213J. doi:10.1086/512778. S2CID 17845709.
  4. [4]
    Drinkwater, Michael J.; Gregg, Michael D.; Colless, Matthew (2001-02-01). "Substructure and Dynamics of the Fornax Cluster". The Astrophysical Journal Letters. 548 (2): L139–L142. arXiv:astro-ph/0012415. Bibcode:2001ApJ...548L.139D. doi:10.1086/319113. ISSN 0004-637X. S2CID 13456590.
  5. [5]
    Drinkwater, Michael J.; Gregg, Michael D.; Colless, Matthew (February 2001). "Substructure and Dynamics of the Fornax Cluster". The Astrophysical Journal Letters. 548 (2): L139. arXiv:astro-ph/0012415. Bibcode:2001ApJ...548L.139D. doi:10.1086/319113. S2CID 13456590.
  6. [6]
    "Hubble Heritage Project". Dwarf Irregulars and Galaxy Clusters. Retrieved 2006-12-07.
  7. [7]
    "Chandra X-Ray Observatory". Fornax Cluster: Motions of Nearby Galaxy Cluster Reveal Presence of Hidden Superstructure. Retrieved 2006-12-07.
  8. [8]
    "Fornax Cluster: Motions of Nearby Galaxy Cluster Reveal Presence of Hidden Superstructure". NASA. 30 April 2005. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  9. [9]
    Neill, James D.; Shara, Michael M.; Oegerle, William R. (January 2005). "Tramp Novae between Galaxies in the Fornax Cluster: Tracers of Intracluster Light". The Astrophysical Journal. 618 (2): 692–704. arXiv:astro-ph/0409265. Bibcode:2005ApJ...618..692N. doi:10.1086/426049. S2CID 5649912.
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