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

Abstract

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.