Investigating brightest cluster galaxies: kinematics with SALT

Abstract

We present detailed, high spatial and spectral resolution, longslit observations of four active central cluster galaxies (CCGs) in cooling flow clusters (Abell 0085, 0133, 0644 and Ophiuchus). Our sample consists of CCGs with H filaments, and have existing data from the X-ray to radio wavelength regimes available. Here, we add the detailed optical data over a broad wavelength range to probe the kinematics of the stars. This, combined with the other multiwavelength data, will form a complete view of the different phases (hot and cold gas and stars) and how they interact in the processes of star formation and feedback detected in central galaxies in cooling flow clusters, as well as the influence of the host cluster