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 environmental interactions.

Contribution

It provides new high-resolution VLBI data on BCGs and suggests a possible link between jet morphology and cluster environment, a novel insight into galaxy cluster dynamics.

Findings

BCGs in cool core clusters tend to have two-sided jets.

BCGs in non cool core clusters tend to have one-sided jets.

Environmental interaction may influence jet properties.

Abstract

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