Merger Shocks in Merging Galaxy Clusters

Abstract

Clusters of galaxies occasionally undergo mergers. As a conseuqnce, shock waves are induced in intracluster media (ICMs) which fill the volume of galaxy clusters and are composed of hot, high-beta plasma. Such merger shocks should be energetic enough to result in observable phenomena. So most shocks observed in X-ray and radio, usually in outskirts of merging clusters, are interpreted as merger shocks. Here, we present the quantitative properties of merger shocks identified in merging clusters from simulations for the large-scale structure formation of the universe. We then discuss implications of our study for X-ray and radio observations of ICM shocks.