Gas Sloshing and Bubbles in the Galaxy Group NGC 5098

TL;DR

This study uses Chandra X-ray observations to analyze gas sloshing, cold fronts, and AGN-driven bubbles in the galaxy group NGC 5098, revealing the dynamics and energy balance of the system.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed X-ray analysis of gas sloshing and AGN bubbles in NGC 5098, linking observed features to AGN activity and gas dynamics.

Findings

Evidence of gas sloshing and cold fronts in NGC 5098.

Detection of X-ray cavities associated with AGN activity.

AGN feedback can offset gas cooling for about 15 million years.

Abstract

We present results from Chandra observations of the galaxy pair and associated galaxy group NGC 5098, and find evidence for both gas sloshing and AGN heating. The X-ray brightness images show diffuse emission with a spiral structure, centered on NGC 5098a, and a sharp edge in the diffuse emission surrounding much of the galaxy at about 30 kpc. The spiral structure in the X-ray surface brightness and temperature maps, the offset between the peak of the cool gas and the central AGN, and the structure of the cold front edges all suggest gas sloshing in the core. The most likely perturber is the nearby galaxy NGC 5098b, which has been stripped of its gaseous atmosphere. Detailed images of the core reveal several X-ray cavities, two of which, just north and southeast of the central AGN, correlate with radio emission and have bright X-ray rims, similar to buoyant bubbles seen in the ICM of other systems. We estimate the pressures in the bubbles and rims and show that they are roughly equal, consistent with these being young features, as suggested by their close proximity to the central AGN. We assume that the other X-ray cavities in the core, which show no correlation with existing radio observations, are ghost cavities from previous AGN outbursts. An estimate of the mechanical energy required to inflate the cavities indicates that it is sufficient to offset radiative cooling of the gas for 15 Myr. Therefore, for a typical cycle time of 10^7 yrs, the central AGN energy output is enough to balance cooling over long timescales.