Magnetic field evolution in galaxies interacting   with the intracluster medium

Otmianowska-Mazur, K.; Vollmer, B.

doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20021666

Cited by 37 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(25 reference statements)

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“…Such significant differences in the magnetic field distributions of galaxies in the cluster outskirts suggest that the degree of distortions in a galactic magnetic field is not a simple function of the distance to the cluster center (see Table 1). However, bearing in mind that the magnetic disturbances can be "remembered" by the galaxy for hundreds of Myr (Otmianowska-Mazur & Vollmer 2003), we are aware that the observed situation may not reflect present interactions. We would then conclude that the cluster outskirts galaxies are generally weakly perturbed and that any objects bearing strong signs of distortions are merely the "products" of earlier interactions close to the cluster center.…”

Section: Distributions In the Disk Planementioning

confidence: 88%

The magnetic fields of large Virgo cluster spirals. II

Weżgowiec

Urbanik

Beck

et al. 2012

A&A

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Context. The Virgo cluster of galaxies provides excellent conditions for studying interactions of galaxies with the cluster environment. Both the high-velocity tidal interactions and effects of ram pressure stripping by the intracluster gas can be investigated in detail. Aims. We extend our systematic search for possible anomalies in the magnetic field structures of Virgo cluster spirals in order to characterize a variety of effects and attribute them to different disturbing agents. Methods. Six angularly large Virgo cluster spiral galaxies (NGC 4192, NGC 4302, NGC 4303, NGC 4321, NGC 4388, and NGC 4535) were targets of a sensitive total power and polarization study using the 100-m radio telescope in Effelsberg at 4.85 GHz and 8.35 GHz (except for NGC 4388 observed only at 4.85 GHz, and NGC 4535 observed only at 8.35 GHz). The presented twofrequency studies allow Faraday rotation analysis. Results. Magnetic field structures distorted to various extent are found in all galaxies. Three galaxies (NGC 4302, NGC 4303, and NGC 4321) show some signs of possible tidal interactions, while NGC 4388 and NGC 4535 have very likely experienced strong ram-pressure and shearing effects, respectively, visible as distortions and asymmetries of polarized intensity distributions. As in our previous study, even strongly perturbed galaxies closely follow the radio-far-infrared correlation. In NGC 4303 and NGC 4321, we observe symmetric spiral patterns of the magnetic field and in NGC 4535 an asymmetric pattern. Conclusions. The cluster environment clearly affects the evolution of its member galaxies via various effects. Magnetic fields allow us to trace even weak interactions that are difficult to detect with other observations. Our results show that the degree of distortions of a galaxy is not a simple function of the distance to the cluster center but reflects also the history of its interactions. The angle Θ between the velocity vector u and the rotation vector Ω of a galaxy may be a general parameter that describes the level of distortions of galactic magnetic fields. Information about the motions of galaxies in the sky plane and their three-dimensional distribution, as well as information about the intracluster medium can also be obtained from the Faraday rotation analysis.

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Section: Distributions In the Disk Planementioning

confidence: 88%

The magnetic fields of large Virgo cluster spirals. II

Weżgowiec

Urbanik

Beck

et al. 2012

A&A

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“…Otmianowska- Mazur & Vollmer (2003) show that the magnetic perturbations in the outer disk may last 0.7-0.9 Gyr after the passage through the dense ICM. Within this time galaxies travelling at the speed of over 1000 km s −1 with respect to the ICM (many Virgo Cluster spirals move faster) might have moved by almost 1 Mpc (considerably more than 3…”

Section: Ram Pressure Effects -Compressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The magnetic fields of large Virgo Cluster spirals

Weżgowiec¹,

Urbanik²,

Vollmer

et al. 2007

A&A

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Context. Because of its proximity the Virgo Cluster is an excellent target for studying interactions of galaxies with the cluster environment. Both the high-velocity tidal interactions and effects of ram pressure stripping by the intracluster gas can be investigated.Aims. Optical and/or H i observations do not always show the effects of weak interactions between galaxies and their encounters with the cluster medium. For this reason we searched for possible anomalies in the magnetic field structure in Virgo Cluster spirals that could be attributed to perturbations in their gas distribution and kinematics. Methods. Five angularly large Virgo Cluster spiral galaxies (NGC 4501, NGC 4438, NGC 4535, NGC 4548, and NGC 4654) were the targets of a sensitive total power and polarization study using the 100-m radio telescope in Effelsberg at 4.85 GHz. For two objects, polarization data at higher frequencies were obtained allowing Faraday rotation analysis. Results. Distorted magnetic field structures were identified in all galaxies. Interaction-induced magnetized outflows were found in NGC 4438 (due to nuclear activity) and NGC 4654 (a combination of tidal tails and ram pressure effects). Almost all objects (except the anaemic NGC 4548), exhibit distortions in polarized radio continuum attributable to the influence of the ambient gas. For some galaxies they agree with observations of other species, but the magnetic field is sometimes (NGC 4535) the only tracer of the interaction with the cluster environment. Conclusions. The cluster environment clearly affects the evolution of the galaxies due to ram pressure and tidal effects. Magnetic fields provide a very long lasting memory of past interactions. Therefore, they are a good tracer of weak interactions that are difficult to detect by other observations. Information about motions of galaxies in the sky plane and their three-dimensional distribution can also be obtained.

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“…VCC1450, VCC1535 and VCC1987 do not show any particular central activity. VCC1987 (NGC 4654) has most probably undergone a tidal interaction and is experiencing ram pressure now (Vollmer 2003). Moreover, it shows an off-center molecular bar (Sofue et al 2003).…”

Section: The Spectral Index Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radio continuum spectra of galaxies in the Virgo cluster region

Vollmer

Thierbach

Wielebinski

2004

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Abstract. New radio continuum observations of galaxies in the Virgo cluster region at 4. 85, 8.6, and 10.55 GHz are presented. These observations are combined with existing measurements at 1.4 and 0.325 GHz. The sample includes 81 galaxies where spectra with more than two frequencies could be derived. Galaxies that show a radio-FIR excess exhibit central activity (HII, LINER, AGN). The four Virgo galaxies with the highest absolute radio excess are found within 2 • of the center of the cluster. Galaxies showing flat radio spectra also host active centers. There is no clear trend between the spectral index and the galaxy's distance to the cluster center.

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Magnetic field evolution in galaxies interacting with the intracluster medium

Cited by 37 publications

References 19 publications

The magnetic fields of large Virgo cluster spirals. II

The magnetic fields of large Virgo cluster spirals. II

The magnetic fields of large Virgo Cluster spirals

Radio continuum spectra of galaxies in the Virgo cluster region

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