scholarly journals Magnetic fields and extraordinarily bright radio emission in the X-ray faint galaxy group MRC 0116 + 111

2019 ◽  
Vol 486 (4) ◽  
pp. 5430-5440 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Mernier ◽  
N Werner ◽  
J Bagchi ◽  
A Simionescu ◽  
H Böhringer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radio Emission ◽  
Galaxy Cluster ◽  
Detailed Comparison ◽  
Electron Population ◽  
Extragalactic Source ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Faint Galaxy ◽  
Inverse Compton ◽  
First Time ◽  
Past Activity

ABSTRACT MRC 0116 + 111 is a nearby (z = 0.132) poor galaxy group, which was previously known for exhibiting a bright diffuse radio emission with no central point-like source, presumably related to a past activity of the active galactic nucleus (AGN) in its central cD galaxy. Here, we present an X-ray observation (∼30 ks of cleaned XMM–Newton/EPIC exposure) of this system, allowing us for the first time a detailed comparison between the thermal and non-thermal components of its intragroup medium (IGrM). Remarkably, we find that the radio-to-X-ray luminosity ratio is among the highest ever observed for a diffuse extragalactic source so far, while the extent of the observed radio emission is about three times larger than its observed soft X-ray emission. Although powerful AGN activity may have disturbed the dynamics of the thermal IGrM in the form of turbulence, possibly re-energizing part of the relativistic electron population, the gas properties lie within the LX–T scaling relation established previously for other groups. The upper limit we find for the non-thermal inverse-Compton X-ray emission translates into a surprisingly high lower limit for the volume-averaged magnetic field of the group (≥4.3 $\mu$G). Finally, we discuss some interesting properties of a distant (z ≃ 0.525) galaxy cluster serendipitously discovered in our EPIC field of view.

scholarly journals Hubble Space Telescope Observations of Synchrotron Jets

1994 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 909-916
Author(s):  
W. B. Sparks ◽  
J. A. Biretta ◽  
F. Macchetto
Keyword(s):  
Radio Emission ◽  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Detailed Comparison ◽  
Synchrotron Emission ◽  
Space Telescope ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Radio Lobe ◽  
First Time ◽  
Relativistic Particles ◽  
Single Power

AbstractThe Hubble Space Telescope for the first time enables optical and UV images of jets to be obtained with spatial resolution comparable to radio interferometric techniques. Because synchrotron emission at these wavelengths is a diagnostic of particles several orders of magnitude higher in energy and correspondingly shorter in lifetime than those probed by radio, the sites of particle acceleration may be more readily identified in the optical and UV. Short-lifetime optical synchrotron emission in the SE inner radio lobe of M87 argues strongly for the presence of an invisible counterjet. A detailed comparison of HST and VLA images of the M87 jet shows there are very strong similarities in overall morphology, but that there are also significant differences. The optical and UV radiation is more localized within the knots than the radio emission and appears more confined toward the jet center. These differences may arise from localized shocks, sited at the optical knots with diffusion of relativistic particles away from those knots, or else they may be due to nonuniform magnetic fields and distributed acceleration processes. The UV fluxes of the knots are consistent with a single power law from optical to X-ray. Optical jets in other radio galaxies show diverse properties—the jet of PKS 0521–36 is smoothly resolved by HST while that of 3C 66B shows previously unsuspected filmentary structure. Likewise, the jet of 3C 273 shows newly observed optical filaments and an intensity distribution quite unlike that of the radio emission. Like M87, the optical jet of 3C 273 is narrower than the radio jet. The serendipitous discovery of a new optical synchrotron jet in 3C 264 suggests that optical jets may be relatively common.Subject heading: galaxies: jets

scholarly journals Signatures of multiple episodes of AGN activity in the core of Abell 1795

2018 ◽  
Vol 618 ◽  
pp. A152 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Kokotanekov ◽  
M. W. Wise ◽  
M. de Vries ◽  
H. T. Intema
Keyword(s):  
Radio Emission ◽  
Galaxy Cluster ◽  
Nearby Galaxy ◽  
Radial Temperature ◽  
X Ray ◽  
The Core ◽  
The Rich ◽  
First Time

In this paper we analyze AGN activity signatures in the rich nearby galaxy cluster Abell 1795 aiming to confirm and characterize the long-term feedback history in the system. We combine radio observations at 610 and 235 MHz from the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) with 3.4 Msec X-ray data from the Chandra Observatory. Extracting radial temperature profiles, as well as X-ray and radio surface brightness profiles in three directions showing major morphological disturbances, we highlight the signatures of activity in the system. For the first time we observe radio emission corresponding to the NW X-ray depression, which provides evidence in favor of the classification of the depression as a cavity. We identify two other X-ray cavities situated NW and SW of the AGN. While the central radio emission corresponding to the inner cavities shows a flatter spectral index, the radio extensions associated with the farthest X-ray cavities consist of aged plasma. All observed signatures both in radio and X-ray are consistent with several consecutive episodes of AGN activity, which gave rise to the observed morphology NW and SW from the core. In the southern region, we confirm the cooling wake hypothesis for the origin of the long tail. The deep X-ray data also allows us to distinguish significant distortions in the tail’s inner parts, which we attribute to the activity of the AGN.

scholarly journals The 3XMM/SDSS Stripe 82 Galaxy Cluster Survey – II. X-ray and optical properties of the cluster sample

2019 ◽  
Vol 486 (4) ◽  
pp. 4863-4879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Takey ◽  
Florence Durret ◽  
Isabel Márquez ◽  
Amael Ellien ◽  
Mona Molham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Galaxy Cluster ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Present Sample ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Cluster Galaxies ◽  
Cluster Survey ◽  
Cluster Sample ◽  
Cluster Mass ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACT We present X-ray and optical properties of the optically confirmed galaxy cluster sample from the 3XMM/SDSS Stripe 82 cluster survey. The sample includes 54 galaxy clusters in the redshift range of 0.05–1.2, with a median redshift of 0.36. We first present the X-ray temperature and luminosity measurements that are used to investigate the X-ray luminosity–temperature relation. The slope and intercept of the relation are consistent with those published in the literature. Then, we investigate the optical properties of the cluster galaxies including their morphological analysis and the galaxy luminosity functions (GLFs). The morphological content of cluster galaxies is investigated as a function of cluster mass and distance from the cluster centre. No strong variation of the fraction of early- and late-type galaxies with cluster mass is observed. The fraction of early-type galaxies as a function of cluster radius varies as expected. The individual GLFs of red sequence galaxies were studied in the five ugriz bands for 48 clusters. The GLFs were then stacked in three mass bins and two redshift bins. Twenty clusters of the present sample are studied for the first time in X-rays, and all are studied for the first time in the optical range. Altogether, our sample appears to have X-ray and optical properties typical of ‘average’ cluster properties.

scholarly journals Radio observations of the merging galaxy cluster Abell 520

2019 ◽  
Vol 622 ◽  
pp. A20 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. N. Hoang ◽  
T. W. Shimwell ◽  
R. J. van Weeren ◽  
G. Brunetti ◽  
H. J. A. Röttgering ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mach Number ◽  
Radio Emission ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Galaxy Cluster ◽  
Shock Acceleration ◽  
Relativistic Electrons ◽  
Diffusive Shock Acceleration ◽  
Cluster Emission ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Extended Radio

Context. Extended synchrotron radio sources are often observed in merging galaxy clusters. Studies of the extended emission help us to understand the mechanisms in which the radio emitting particles gain their relativistic energies. Aims. We examine the possible acceleration mechanisms of the relativistic particles that are responsible for the extended radio emission in the merging galaxy cluster Abell 520. Methods. We performed new 145 MHz observations with the LOw Frequency ARay (LOFAR) and combined these with archival Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) 323 MHz and Very Large Array (VLA) 1.5 GHz data to study the morphological and spectral properties of extended cluster emission. The observational properties are discussed in the framework of particle acceleration models associated with cluster merger turbulence and shocks. Results. In Abell 520, we confirm the presence of extended (760 × 950 kpc2) synchrotron radio emission that has been classified as a radio halo. The comparison between the radio and X-ray brightness suggests that the halo might originate in a cocoon rather than from the central X-ray bright regions of the cluster. The halo spectrum is roughly uniform on the scale of 66 kpc. There is a hint of spectral steepening from the SW edge towards the cluster centre. Assuming diffusive shock acceleration (DSA), the radio data are suggestive of a shock Mach number of ℳSW = 2.6−0.2+0.3 that is consistent with the X-ray derived estimates. This is in agreement with the scenario in which relativistic electrons in the SW radio edge gain their energies at the shock front via acceleration of either thermal or fossil electrons. We do not detect extended radio emission ahead of the SW shock that is predicted if the emission is the result of adiabatic compression. An X-ray surface brightness discontinuity is detected towards the NE region that may be a counter shock of Mach number ℳNEX = 1.52±0.05. This is lower than the value predicted from the radio emission which, assuming DSA, is consistent with ℳNE = 2.1 ± 0.2. Conclusions. Our observations indicate that the radio emission in the SW of Abell 520 is likely effected by the prominent X-ray detected shock in which radio emitting particles are (re-)accelerated through the Fermi-I mechanism. The NE X-ray discontinuity that is approximately collocated with an edge in the radio emission hints at the presence of a counter shock.

scholarly journals LSI +61°303: A Pulsar Wind Nebula in a Binary?

2004 ◽  
Vol 218 ◽  
pp. 219-220
Author(s):  
D. A. Leahy
Keyword(s):  
Radio Emission ◽  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Confining Pressure ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Relativistic Electrons ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Inverse Compton ◽  
Pulsar Wind

LSI +61°303 outbursts are modeled as a pulsar wind nebula expanding inside the environment provided by the Be companion star's stellar wind and photon flux. A set of equations describing the system is developed and solved numerically for representative sets of parameters. Emission in X-rays through gamma-rays is due to inverse Compton emission from relativistic electrons around the pulsar. The radio emission is due to synchrotron emission of varying optical depth, which yields a varying spectral index. The peak of X-ray emission is near periastron and the peak of the radio emission is near apastron, due to reduced confining pressure on the relativistic electron cloud and its subsequent rapid expansion.

scholarly journals A joint XMM-NuSTAR observation of the galaxy cluster Abell 523: Constraints on inverse Compton emission

2019 ◽  
Vol 628 ◽  
pp. A83 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Cova ◽  
F. Gastaldello ◽  
D. R. Wik ◽  
W. Boschin ◽  
A. Botteon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Field Strength ◽  
Magnetic Field Strength ◽  
Galaxy Cluster ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Radio Halo ◽  
Upper Limit ◽  
Inverse Compton ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Aims. We present the results of a joint XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observation (200 ks) of the galaxy cluster Abell 523 at z = 0.104. The peculiar morphology of the cluster radio halo and its outlier position in the radio power P(1.4 GHz) – X-ray luminosity plane make it an ideal candidate for the study of radio and X-ray correlations and for the search of inverse Compton (IC) emission. Methods. We constructed bi-dimensional maps for the main thermodynamic quantities (i.e., temperature, pressure and entropy) derived from the XMM observations to describe the physical and dynamical state of the cluster’s intracluster medium (ICM) in detail. We performed a point-to-point comparison in terms of surface brightness between the X-ray and radio emissions to quantify their morphological discrepancies. Making use of NuSTAR’s unprecedented hard X-ray focusing capability, we looked for IC emission both globally and locally after properly modeling the purely thermal component with a multi-temperature description. Results. The thermodynamic maps obtained from the XMM observation suggest the presence of a secondary merging process that could be responsible for the peculiar radio halo morphology. This hypothesis is supported by the comparison between the X-ray and radio surface brightnesses, which shows a broad intrinsic scatter and a series of outliers from the best-fit relation, corresponding to those regions that could be influenced by a secondary merger. The global NuSTAR spectrum can be explained by purely thermal gas emission, and there is no convincing evidence that an IC component is needed. The 3σ upper limit on the IC flux in the 20−80 keV band is in the [2.2−4.0] × 10−13 erg s−1 cm−2 range, implying a lower limit on the magnetic field strength in the B >  [0.23 − 0.31] μG range. Locally, we looked for IC emission in the central region of the cluster radio halo finding a 3σ upper limit on the 20−80 keV nonthermal flux of 3.17 × 10−14 erg s−1 cm−2, corresponding to a lower limit on the magnetic field strength of B ≳ 0.81 μG.

scholarly journals Chandra and XMM–Newton observations of A2256: cold fronts, merger shocks, and constraint on the IC emission

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (4) ◽  
pp. 4704-4717
Author(s):  
Chong Ge ◽  
Ruo-Yu Liu ◽  
Ming Sun ◽  
Heng Yu ◽  
Lawrence Rudnick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Law ◽  
Electron Spectrum ◽  
Galaxy Cluster ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Cold Fronts ◽  
Inverse Compton ◽  
Galaxy Kinematics ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Primary Cluster ◽  
Shock Fronts

ABSTRACT We present the results of deep Chandra and XMM–Newton observations of a complex merging galaxy cluster Abell 2256 (A2256) that hosts a spectacular radio relic (RR). The temperature and metallicity maps show clear evidence of a merger between the western subcluster (SC) and the primary cluster (PC). We detect five X-ray surface brightness edges. Three of them near the cluster centre are cold fronts (CFs): CF1 is associated with the infalling SC; CF2 is located in the east of the PC; and CF3 is located to the west of the PC core. The other two edges at cluster outskirts are shock fronts (SFs): SF1 near the RR in the NW has Mach numbers derived from the temperature and the density jumps, respectively, of MT = 1.62 ± 0.12 and Mρ = 1.23 ± 0.06; SF2 in the SE has MT = 1.54 ± 0.05 and Mρ = 1.16 ± 0.13. In the region of the RR, there is no evidence for the correlation between X-ray and radio substructures, from which we estimate an upper limit for the inverse-Compton emission, and therefore set a lower limit on the magnetic field (∼ 450 kpc from PC centre) of B > 1.0 μG for a single power-law electron spectrum or B > 0.4 μG for a broken power-law electron spectrum. We propose a merger scenario including a PC, an SC, and a group. Our merger scenario accounts for the X-ray edges, diffuse radio features, and galaxy kinematics, as well as projection effects.

scholarly journals Search for non-thermal X-ray emission in the colliding wind binary Cygnus OB2 #8A

2020 ◽  
Vol 636 ◽  
pp. A109 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Mossoux ◽  
J. M. Pittard ◽  
G. Rauw ◽  
Y. Nazé
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Inverse Compton Scattering ◽  
Thermal Radio Emission ◽  
Shock Region ◽  
Inverse Compton ◽  
First Time ◽  
Colliding Winds

Aims. Cyg OB2 #8A is a massive O-type binary displaying strong non-thermal radio emission. Owing to the compactness of this binary, emission of non-thermal X-ray photons via inverse Compton scattering is expected. Methods. We first revised the orbital solution for Cyg OB2 #8A using new optical spectra. We then reduced and analysed X-ray spectra obtained with XMM-Newton, Swift, INTEGRAL, and NuSTAR. Results. The analysis of the XMM-Newton and Swift data allows us to better characterise the X-ray emission from the stellar winds and colliding winds region at energies below 10 keV. We confirm the variation of the broad-band light curve of Cyg OB2 #8A along the orbit with, for the first time, the observation of the maximum emission around phase 0.8. The minimum ratio of the X-ray to bolometric flux of Cyg OB2 #8A remains well above the level expected for single O-type stars, indicating that the colliding wind region is not disrupted during the periastron passage. The analysis of the full set of publicly available INTEGRAL observations allows us to refine the upper limit on the non-thermal X-ray flux of the Cyg OB2 region between 20 and 200 keV. Two NuSTAR observations (phases 0.028 and 0.085) allow us to study the Cyg OB2 #8A spectrum up to 30 keV. These data do not provide evidence of the presence of non-thermal X-rays, but bring more stringent constraints on the flux of a putative non-thermal component. Finally, we computed, thanks to a new dedicated model, the anisotropic inverse Compton emission generated in the wind shock region. The theoretical non-thermal emission appears to be compatible with observational limits and the kinetic luminosity computed from these models is in good agreement with the unabsorbed flux observed below 10 keV.

scholarly journals Particle acceleration in a nearby galaxy cluster pair: the role of cluster dynamics

2019 ◽  
Vol 630 ◽  
pp. A77 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Botteon ◽  
R. Cassano ◽  
D. Eckert ◽  
G. Brunetti ◽  
D. Dallacasa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radio Emission ◽  
Galaxy Clusters ◽  
Surface Brightness ◽  
Power Spectra ◽  
Galaxy Cluster ◽  
Cluster Center ◽  
Nearby Galaxy ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Radio Halo ◽  
Cluster Pair

Context. Diffuse radio emission associated with the intracluster medium (ICM) is observed in a number of merging galaxy clusters. It is currently believed that a fraction of the kinetic energy in mergers is channeled into nonthermal components, such as turbulence, cosmic rays, and magnetic fields, which may lead to the formation of giant synchrotron sources in the ICM. Aims. Studying merging galaxy clusters in different evolutionary phases is fundamental for understanding the origin of radio emission in the ICM. Methods. We observed the nearby galaxy cluster pair RXC J1825.3+3026 (z ∼ 0.065) and CIZA J1824.1+3029 (z ∼ 0.071) at 120 − 168 MHz with the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) and made use of a deep (240 ks) XMM-Newton dataset to study the nonthermal and thermal properties of the system. RXC J1825.3+3026 is in a complex dynamical state, with a primary ongoing merger in the E-W direction and a secondary later stage merger with a group of galaxies in the SW, while CIZA J1824.1+3029 is dynamically relaxed. These two clusters are in a pre-merger phase. Results. We report the discovery of a Mpc-scale radio halo with a low surface brightness extension in RXC J1825.3+3026 that follows the X-ray emission from the cluster center to the remnant of a galaxy group in the SW. This is among the least massive systems and the faintest giant radio halo known to date. In contrast to this, no diffuse radio emission is observed in CIZA J1824.1+3029, nor in the region between the pre-merger cluster pair. The power spectra of the X-ray surface brightness fluctuations of RXC J1825.3+3026 and CIZA J1824.1+3029 are in agreement with the findings for clusters exhibiting a radio halo and clusters where no radio emission has been detected, respectively. Conclusions. We provide quantitative support to the idea that cluster mergers play a crucial role in the generation of nonthermal components in the ICM.

scholarly journals LOFAR observations of X-ray cavity systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 496 (3) ◽  
pp. 2613-2635 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Bîrzan ◽  
D A Rafferty ◽  
M Brüggen ◽  
A Botteon ◽  
G Brunetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radio Emission ◽  
Active Galactic Nucleus ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
X Ray ◽  
First Time ◽  
Jet Power

ABSTRACT We present LOFAR observations at 120–168 MHz of 42 systems with possible X-ray cavities in their hot atmosphere, of which 17 are groups or ellipticals, 19 are nearby clusters (z < 0.3), and six are higher redshift clusters (z > 0.3). The X-ray cavities, formed by the radio lobes of the central active galactic nucleus (AGN), are evidence of radio-mode AGN feedback. In the groups and ellipticals sample, half of the systems have X-ray cavities for which no associated lobe emission was detected. Conversely, we report the discovery of large radio lobes in NGC 6338, extending far beyond the emission reported previously in the literature. In the case of the nearby clusters, our observations show that there is little low-frequency radio emission that extends beyond the cavities (e.g. MS 0735.6+7421, A2052). For the first time, we report secure cavity-radio associations in 2A 0335+096, ZwCl 2701, and ZwCl 8276 that strengthens their interpretation as AGN-created cavities. However, in some known cavity systems (e.g. A1795 and ZwCl 3146) we report the lack of detectable low-frequency radio emission associated with the cavities. Our sample of higher redshifts systems is small, and unfortunately the present LOFAR observations are not able to resolve the lobes in many of them. Nevertheless, our sample represents one of the best available for investigating the connection between radio and jet power in radio-mode AGN feedback.

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