A Very Deep Chandra Observation of Abell 2052: Bubbles, Shocks, and Sloshing

TL;DR

This deep Chandra X-ray study of Abell 2052 uncovers complex structures like bubbles, shocks, and a spiral feature, revealing insights into AGN activity and gas dynamics in galaxy clusters.

Contribution

The paper provides the first detailed X-ray and radio analysis of Abell 2052, identifying new features such as large-scale bubbles and a spiral structure caused by gas sloshing.

Findings

Detection of two concentric shocks with temperature increases

Identification of a cooler, high-abundance spiral feature

Evidence of multiple AGN outbursts shaping the ICM

Abstract

We present first results from a very deep (~650 ksec) Chandra X-ray observation of Abell 2052, as well as archival VLA radio observations. The data reveal detailed structure in the inner parts of the cluster, including bubbles evacuated by the AGN's radio lobes, compressed bubble rims, filaments, and loops. Two concentric shocks are seen, and a temperature rise is measured for the innermost one. On larger scales, we report the first detection of an excess surface brightness spiral feature. The spiral has cooler temperatures, lower entropies, and higher abundances than its surroundings, and is likely the result of sloshing gas initiated by a previous cluster-cluster or sub-cluster merger. Initial evidence for previously unseen bubbles at larger radii related to earlier outbursts from the AGN is presented.