Phoenix Cluster

Phoenix Cluster
The Phoenix Cluster, seen in this multi-wave length composite image of X-ray and visible light overlays. Note the two vast outer cavities, seen as large holes in the blue emission. Less pronounced inner cavities are to the top right and bottom left of the central galaxy, the brightest object in the image.[1]
Observation data (Epoch J2000.0[2])
Constellation(s)Phoenix
Right ascension23h 44m 40.9s[2]
Declination−42° 41′ 54″[2]
Brightest memberPhoenix A (mag 18.2)[2][3]
Number of galaxies42 known[2]
Redshift0.597320±0.000150 (center)[4]
Distance2,640.6 ± 184.8 megaparsecs (8.61 ± 0.60 billion light-years)
(present comoving)
1,796.38 megaparsecs (5.86 billion light-years)
(light-travel)[3]
Binding mass(1.26–2.5)×1015[4] M☉
Other designations
Phoenix Cluster, SPT-CL J 2344 -4243, SPT-CL J2344-4243[5]

The Phoenix Cluster (SPT-CL J2344-4243) is a massive, Abell class type I galaxy cluster located at its namesake, southern constellation of Phoenix. It was initially detected in 2010 during a 2,500 square degree survey of the southern sky using the Sunyaev–Zeldovich effect by the South Pole Telescope collaboration.[5] It is one of the most massive galaxy clusters known, with the mass on the order of 2×1015 M☉,[4] and is the most luminous X-ray cluster discovered, producing more X-rays than any other known massive cluster.[4] It is located at a comoving distance of 8.61 billion light-years (2.64 gigaparsecs) from Earth. About 42 member galaxies were identified and currently listed in the SIMBAD Astronomical Database,[2] though the real number may be as high as 1,000.[6]

  1. ^ "Phoenix Cluster: A Fresh Perspective on an Extraordinary Cluster of Galaxies". Chandra X-ray Observatory. Harvard.edu. September 30, 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "NAME Phoenix Cluster". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Phoenix A". NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database.
  4. ^ a b c d McDonald, M.; Bayliss, M.; Benson, B. A.; Foley, R. J.; Ruel, J.; Sullivan, P.; Veilleux, S.; Aird, K. A.; Ashby, M. L. N.; Bautz, M.; Bazin, G.; Bleem, L. E.; Brodwin, M.; Carlstrom, J. E.; Chang, C. L. (August 2012). "A massive, cooling-flow-induced starburst in the core of a luminous cluster of galaxies". Nature. 488 (7411): 349–352. arXiv:1208.2962. Bibcode:2012Natur.488..349M. doi:10.1038/nature11379. ISSN 0028-0836. PMID 22895340.
  5. ^ a b Williamson, R.; Benson, B. A.; High, F. W.; Vanderlinde, K.; Ade, P. A. R.; Aird, K. A.; Andersson, K.; Armstrong, R.; Ashby, M. L. N.; Bautz, M.; Bazin, G.; Bertin, E.; Bleem, L. E.; Bonamente, M.; Brodwin, M. (10 September 2011). "An SZ-selected sample of the most massive galaxy clusters in the 2500-square-degree South Pole Telescope survey". The Astrophysical Journal. 738 (2): 139. arXiv:1101.1290. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/738/2/139. ISSN 0004-637X.
  6. ^ "Powerful Black Hole at Heart of Phoenix Cluster's Central Galaxy Surprises Astronomers". Sci.News. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2024.