X-ray Spectroscopy of the Core of the Perseus Cluster with Suzaku: Elemental Abundances in the Intracluster Medium

TL;DR

This study uses Suzaku X-ray observations to measure elemental abundances in the Perseus cluster's core, detecting new spectral lines and comparing abundance ratios with models and stellar data.

Contribution

First detection of helium-like Cr and Mn lines in galaxy clusters, providing precise measurements of multiple elemental abundances in the intracluster medium.

Findings

Detected Cr and Mn lines for the first time in clusters

Measured elemental abundances within 220 kpc of the cluster center

Abundance ratios are close to solar values, ranging from 0.8 to 1.5

Abstract

The results from Suzaku observations of the central region of the Perseus cluster are presented. Deep exposures with the X-ray Imaging Spectrometer provide high quality X-ray spectra from the intracluster medium. X-ray lines from helium-like Cr and Mn have been detected significantly for the first time in clusters. In addition, elemental abundances of Ne, Mg, Si, S, Ar, Ca, Fe, and Ni are accurately measured within 10' (or 220 kpc) from the cluster center. The relative abundance ratios are found to be within a range of 0.8-1.5 times the solar value. These abundance ratios are compared with previous measurements, those in extremely metal-poor stars in the Galaxy, and theoretical models.