Simulating the LOcal Web (SLOW) V. Thermodynamic Properties and Evolution of Local Galaxy Clusters

TL;DR

This study uses constrained simulations to analyze the thermodynamic properties and evolution of local galaxy clusters, linking their formation history to core classifications and observed X-ray and SZ data.

Contribution

The paper demonstrates that constrained simulations can accurately reproduce observed ICM profiles and reveal the connection between cluster formation history and core types.

Findings

CC clusters form earlier than NCC clusters

WCC clusters show intermediate evolutionary behavior

Simulations match observed thermodynamic profiles of major clusters

Abstract

The intracluster medium (ICM), composed of hot plasma, dominates the baryonic content of galaxy clusters and is primarily observable in X-rays. Its thermodynamic properties, pressure, temperature, entropy, and electron density, offer crucial insight into the physical processes shaping clusters, from accretion and mergers to radiative cooling and feedback. We investigate the thermodynamic properties of galaxy clusters in the Simulating the LOcal Web (SLOW) constrained simulations, which reproduce the observed large-scale structure of the local Universe. We assess how well these simulations reproduce observed ICM profiles and explore the connection between cluster formation history and core classification. Three-dimensional thermodynamic profiles are extracted and compared to deprojected X-ray and Sunyaev - Zel'dovich (SZ) data for local clusters classified as solid cool-core (SCC), weakly cool-core (WCC), and non-cool-core (NCC) systems. We also examine the mass assembly history of the simulated counterparts to link their formation to present-day ICM properties. The simulations reproduce global thermodynamic profiles for clusters such as Perseus, Coma, A85, A119, A1644, A2029, A3158, and A3266. Moreover, they show that CC clusters typically assemble their mass earlier, while NCC systems grow through more extended, late-time merger-driven histories. WCC clusters show intermediate behavior, suggesting an evolutionary transition. Our results demonstrate that constrained simulations provide a powerful tool for linking cluster formation history to present-day ICM properties and point to possible refinements in subgrid physics as well as in resolution that could improve the agreement in cluster core regions.