Galaxy clusters are the most massive gravitationally bound structures in the Universe. They grow by accreting smaller structures in a merging process that produces shocks and turbulence in the intracluster gas. We observed a ridge of radio emission connecting the merging galaxy clusters Abell 0399 and Abell 0401 with the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR) telescope network at 140 megahertz. This emission requires a population of relativistic electrons and a magnetic field located in a filament between the two galaxy clusters. We performed simulations to show that a volume-filling distribution of weak shocks may reaccelerate a preexisting population of relativistic particles, producing emission at radio wavelengths that illuminates the magnetic ridge.
Govoni F., Orru E., Bonafede A., Iacobelli M., Paladino R., Vazza F., et al. (2019). A radio ridge connecting two galaxy clusters in a filament of the cosmic web. SCIENCE, 364(6444), 981-984 [10.1126/science.aat7500].
A radio ridge connecting two galaxy clusters in a filament of the cosmic web
Govoni F.;Bonafede A.;Paladino R.;Vazza F.Membro del Collaboration Group
;Vacca V.;Giovannini G.;Feretti L.;Loi F.;GHELLER, CLAUDIO;BRUGGEN, MARCUS;Hoeft M.;Wise M.
2019
Abstract
Galaxy clusters are the most massive gravitationally bound structures in the Universe. They grow by accreting smaller structures in a merging process that produces shocks and turbulence in the intracluster gas. We observed a ridge of radio emission connecting the merging galaxy clusters Abell 0399 and Abell 0401 with the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR) telescope network at 140 megahertz. This emission requires a population of relativistic electrons and a magnetic field located in a filament between the two galaxy clusters. We performed simulations to show that a volume-filling distribution of weak shocks may reaccelerate a preexisting population of relativistic particles, producing emission at radio wavelengths that illuminates the magnetic ridge.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
11585_703722def.pdf
accesso aperto
Tipo:
Postprint
Licenza:
Licenza per accesso libero gratuito
Dimensione
5.32 MB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
5.32 MB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
