Parsec Scale Properties of Brightest Cluster Galaxies

TL;DR

This study uses VLBI observations to explore the parsec-scale jet properties of Brightest Cluster Galaxies, revealing potential differences based on cluster core type, which may be influenced by jet-medium interactions.

Contribution

It provides new high-resolution VLBI data on Brightest Cluster Galaxies and suggests a possible link between jet morphology and cluster core properties.

Findings

Brightest Cluster Galaxies in cool core clusters show two-sided jets.

Non cool core cluster galaxies tend to have one-sided jets.

Jet interaction with the surrounding medium may influence jet appearance.

Abstract

We present new VLBI observations of Brightest Cluster Galaxies in eight nearby Abell clusters. These data show a possible difference between Brightest Cluster Galaxies in cool core clusters (two-sided pc scale jets) and in non cool core clusters (one-sided pc scale jets). We suggest that this difference could be due to the jet interaction with the surrounding medium. More data are necessary to discuss if pc-scale properties of Brightest Cluster Galaxies are influenced by their peculiar morphology and position in the center of rich clusters of galaxies.