Abstract
The influence of subclustering in rich clusters of galaxies is examined using results from numericaln-body experiments. It is found that, under some conditions, the standard virial theorem is satisfied. No physical missing mass is needed because its role is replaced by the gravitational energy of the subclustering. We find that, in the Coma cluster, this effect masquerades as a ‘missing’ mass about 7 times that of the physical mass, so that the apparent extant virial discrepancy (M VT/M≃8) in this cluster is explained.
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Wesson, P.S., Lermann, A. Substructure in clusters of galaxies: A clue to the ‘missing’ mass?. Astrophys Space Sci 46, 327–334 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00644380
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00644380