Riding the wake of a merging galaxy cluster

Understand

Using WHT OASIS integral field unit observations, we report the discovery of a thin plume of ionised gas extending from the brightest cluster galaxy in Abell 2146 to the sub-cluster X-ray cool core which is offset from the BCG by ~37 kpc.

• The plume is greater than 15 kpc long and less than 3 kpc wide.
• This plume is unique in that the cluster it is situated in is currently undergoing a major galaxy cluster merger.
• The brightest cluster galaxy is unusually located behind the X-ray shock front and in the wake of the ram pressure stripped X-ray cool core and evidence for recent disruption to the BCG is observed.