Cluster Winds Blow along Supercluster Axes

Abstract

Within Abell galaxy clusters containing wide-angle tailed (WAT) radio sources, there is evidence of a `prevailing wind' which directs the WAT jets. We study the alignment of WAT jets and nearby clusters to test the idea that this wind may be a fossil of drainage along large-scale supercluster axes. We also test this idea with a study of the alignment of WAT jets and supercluster axes. Statistical tests indicate no alignment of WAT jets towards nearest neighbour clusters, but do indicate approximately 98 per cent con®dence in alignment with the long axis of the supercluster in which the cluster lies. We ®nd a preferred scale for such superclusters of order 25 hÿ1 Mpc.