Abstract:
Thermodynamic maps of galaxy clusters created from X-ray observations are capable of revealing structures within these systems much more effectively than analyses in optical frequencies, for example. Understanding the nature of these structures facilitates the correct determination of the cluster’s dynamical stage. In this work, a Python code was developed to create such maps, from selecting regions for spectrum extraction to smoothing the points obtained using the Kriging method. The test system chosen to evaluate the developed code was the galaxy cluster Abell 3571 (A3571). Despite being a nearby cluster ($z=0.039$) and the sixth brightest X-ray cluster, there are few studies on it, and its dynamical stage is still unclear in the literature. Using an observation made with the Chandra X-ray Observatory we created temperature, pressure, and entropy maps, which revealed features not previously seen in earlier works, such as the presence of a cold front south of the cluster core and a low-entropy elongation whose direction does not coincide with the X-ray brightness elongation direction. The entropy map obtained in this work, along with maps from previous studies using the XMM-Newton telescope and the structure mentioned above, led to the suggestion of a scenario where a group of galaxies is colliding with the center of A3571. Therefore, we conclude that the code was successful in creating the thermodynamic maps, and these play a fundamental role in determining the dynamical stage of the cluster. The work will continue by adapting the code for use with XMM-Newton observations and applying it to this and other systems.
