A multiwavelength view of cooling versus AGN heating in the X-ray luminous cool-core of Abell 3581

We report the results of a multiwavelength study of the nearby galaxy group, Abell 3581 (z = 0.0218). This system hosts the most luminous cool core of any nearby group and exhibits active radio mode feedback from the supermassive black hole in its brightest group galaxy, IC 4374. The brightest galaxy has suffered multiple active galactic nucleus outbursts, blowing bubbles into the surrounding hot gas, which have resulted in the uplift of cool ionized gas into the surrounding hot intragroup medium. High velocities, indicative of an outflow, are observed close to the nucleus and coincident with the radio jet. Thin dusty filaments accompany the uplifted, ionized gas. No extended star formation is observed; however, a young cluster is detected just north of the nucleus. The direction of rise of the bubbles has changed between outbursts. This directional change is likely due to sloshing motions of the intragroup medium. These sloshing motions also appear to be actively stripping the X-ray cool core, as indicated by a spiralling cold front of high-metallicity, low-temperature, low entropy gas.