Morphology of flows and buoyant bubbles in the Virgo cluster

TL;DR

This paper uses high-resolution 3D simulations to analyze how AGN-created bubbles interact with the Virgo cluster's intracluster medium, highlighting vortex dynamics and diffusive effects.

Contribution

It introduces detailed hydrodynamical modeling of AGN bubbles in the Virgo cluster, emphasizing vortex forces and their impact on bubble evolution.

Findings

Hydrodynamical Kutta-Zhukovsky forces significantly influence bubble morphology.

Vortex ring structures are crucial in bubble-ICM interactions.

Diffusive processes may alter bubble stability and longevity.

Abstract

There is growing evidence that the active galactic nuclei (AGN) associated with the central elliptical galaxy in clusters of galaxies are playing an important role in the evolution of the intracluster medium (ICM) and clusters themselves. We use high resolution three-dimensional simulations to study the interaction of the cavities created by AGN outflows (bubbles) with the ambient ICM. The gravitational potential of the cluster is modelled using the observed temperature and density profiles of the Virgo cluster. We demonstrate the importance of the hydrodynamical Kutta-Zhukovsky forces associated with the vortex ring structure of the bubbles, and discuss possible effects of diffusive processes on their evolution.