Summary
This observational study analysed archival Chandra X-ray data of the cold front in galaxy cluster Abell 3667 to investigate the microphysical properties of weakly magnetised intergalactic plasma. The analysis identified azimuthal variations and multiple edges in surface brightness profiles consistent with developing Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities, providing the first observational evidence of such instabilities along a merger cold front. These findings enable constraints on the effective viscosity of the intracluster medium, estimated at no more than 5 per cent of theoretical Spitzer-like viscosity.
UK applicability
This is an astrophysical study of extragalactic plasma physics with no direct applicability to UK farming systems, soil health, nutrient density, or agricultural policy.
Key measures
Azimuthal variations in cold front radius; surface brightness profiles; characteristic length-scale of Kelvin–Helmholtz instability rolls (20–80 kpc); upper limit on intracluster medium effective viscosity (μ ≲ 200 g cm−1 s−1)
Outcomes reported
The study used archival Chandra X-ray data to constrain the microphysical properties of intergalactic plasma in a galaxy cluster cold front. It measured surface brightness profiles, interface fluctuations, and evidence of Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities to estimate upper limits on effective viscosity.
Topic tags
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