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X-Ray Triple Rings around the M87 Jets in the Central Virgo Cluster

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Hua Feng1, Shuang-Nan Zhang2,3,4,5, Yu-Qing Lou2,6,7 and Ti-Pei Li2,4

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The Chandra X-ray data of the central Virgo Cluster are reexamined to reveal a triple-ring structure around the galaxy M87, reminiscent of the spectacular triple-ring pattern of the supernova SN 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud. In the sky plane, the two apparent smaller ellipses are roughly aligned along the M87 jets; the larger ring centers at the M87 nucleus and is likely a circle roughly perpendicular to the M87 jet. Certain similarities of these two triple-ring structures might hint at similar processes that operate in these two systems with entirely different sizes and mass scales. We suspect that a major merging event of two galaxies with nuclear supermassive black holes (SMBHs) might create such a triple-ring structure and drove acoustic and internal gravity waves far and near. The M87 jets are perhaps powered by a spinning SMBH resulting from this catastrophic merging event.


Subject headings

galaxies: clusters: individual (Virgo); galaxies: individual (M87); galaxies: structure; X-rays: galaxies: clusters


Dates

Issue 2 (2004 June 1)

Received 2003 December 17, accepted for publication 2004 April 22

Published 2004 May 4



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