Cosmic Rays in Clusters of Galaxies

Peter L. Biermann, Torsten A. Enßlin, Hyesung Kang, Hyesook Lee, Dongsu Ryu

Published 2002-11-11Version 1

We argue that clusters of galaxies have an intergalactic medium, which is permeated by strong magnetic fields and also has a contribution of pressure from cosmic rays. These two components of total pressure are probably highly time dependent, and range probably between 1/10 of the gas pressure up to equipartition between gas pressure and the sum of the two other components. Radio galaxies are likely to provide the main source for both magnetic fields and cosmic rays. In this concept it becomes easy to understand the occasional mismatch between the total mass inferred from the assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium derived purely from gas, and the total mass derived from lensing data. We also suggest that the structure and topology of the magnetic field may be highly inhomogeneous - at least over a certain range of scales, and may contain long twisted filaments of strong magnetic fields, as on the Sun. The analogy with the interstellar medium may be fruitful to explore further, where we do not know where magnetic fields come from, but suspect that the cosmic rays derive from supernova explosions. In such an analogy it becomes useful to refer to "radio galaxy explosions" in clusters of galaxies. A full scale exploration of all the implications, especially of the notion that occasionally complete equipartition may be reached, is a task for the future.