Shocking features in the merging galaxy cluster RXJ0334.2-0111

Abstract

We present a 66 ks Chandra X-ray observation of the galaxy cluster RXJ0334.2-0111. This deep observation revealed a unique bow shock system associated with a wide angle tail (WAT) radio galaxy and several intriguing substructures. The temperature across the bow shock jumps by a factor of ~1.5 (from 4.1 to 6.2 keV), and is consistent with the Mach numberM= 1.6+0.5-0.3. A second inner surface brightness edge is a cold front that marks the border between infalling subcluster cool core and the intracluster medium of the main cluster. The temperature across the cold front increases from 1.3+0.3-0.8 to 6.2+0.6-0.6 keV. We find an overpressurized region ~250 kpc east of the cold front that is named 'the eastern extension (EE)'. The EE may be a part of the third subcluster in the ongoing merger. We also find a tail shaped feature that originates near the bow shock and may extend up to a distance of ~1 Mpc. This feature is also likely overpressurized. The luminous FR-I radio galaxy, 3C89, appears to be the cD galaxy of the infalling subcluster. We estimated 3C89's jet power from jet bending and the possible interaction between the X-ray gas and the radio lobes. A comparison between the shock standoff distance and the Mach number for all known shock front/cold front combinations suggests that the core is continuously shrinking in size by stripping.