Gas Bulk Motion in the Perseus Cluster Measured with Suzaku

Abstract

We present the results from Suzaku observations of the Perseus Cluster, which is relatively close, the brightest in the X-ray sky, and a relaxed object with a cool core. A number of exposures of central regions and offset pointing with the X-ray Imaging Spectrometer cover a region within radii of 20'-30'. The central data are used to evaluate the instrumental energy-scale calibration with accuracy confirmed to within around 300 km s^-1 by the spatial and temporal variation of the instruments. These deep and well-calibrated data are used to measure X-ray redshifts of the intracluster medium. A hint of gas bulk motion, with radial velocity of about -(150-300) km s^-1 relative to the main system, was found at 2'-4' (45-90 kpc) west of the cluster center, where an X-ray excess and a cold front were found previously. No other velocity structure was discovered. Over spatial scales of 50-100 kpc and within 200 kpc radii of the center, the gas-radial-velocity variation is below 300 km s^-1, while over scales of 400 kpc within 600 kpc radii, the variation is below 600 km s^-1. These X-ray redshift distributions are compared spatially with those of optical member galaxies for the first time in galaxy clusters. Based on X-ray line widths, gas turbulent velocities within these regions are also constrained within 1000-3000 km s^-1. These results of gas dynamics in the core and larger scales in association with cluster merger activities are discussed, and the future potential of high-energy resolution spectroscopy with ASTRO-H is considered.