The axis ratio distribution of X-ray clusters observed by XMM-Newton

TL;DR

This study analyzes the shape distribution of X-ray galaxy clusters observed by XMM-Newton, confirming their elliptic nature and modeling their axis ratios under hydrostatic equilibrium within triaxial dark matter halos.

Contribution

It introduces a model linking X-ray gas axis ratios to triaxial dark matter halos, validated against observational data.

Findings

Observed axis ratio distribution matches the model predictions.

X-ray distribution is well approximated by an elliptical shape.

Hydrostatic equilibrium assumption is consistent with observations.

Abstract

We derive the axis ratio distribution of X-ray clusters using the XMM-Newton catalogue (Snowden et al. 2008). By fitting the contour lines of the X-ray image by ellipses, we confirm the X-ray distribution is well approximated by the elliptic distribution with a constant axis ratio and direction. We construct a simple model describing the axis ratio of the X-ray gas assuming the hydrostatic equilibrium embedded in the triaxial dark matter halo model proposed by Jing & Suto (2002) and the hydrostatic equilibrium. We find that the observed probability density function of the axis ratio is consistent with this model prediction.