2013MNRAS.430.1414C -
Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc., 430, 1414-1422 (2013/April-1)
Detection of a radio bridge in Abell 3667.
CARRETTI E., BROWN S., STAVELEY-SMITH L., MALARECKI J.M., BERNARDI G., GAENSLER B.M., HAVERKORN M., KESTEVEN M.J. and POPPI S.
Abstract (from CDS):
We have detected a radio bridge of unpolarized synchrotron emission connecting the NW relic of the galaxy cluster Abell 3667 to its central regions. We used data at 2.3 GHz from the S-band Polarization All Sky Survey and at 3.3 GHz from a follow-up observation, both conducted with the Parkes radio telescope. This emission is further aligned with a diffuse X-ray tail, and represents the most compelling evidence for an association between intracluster medium turbulence and diffuse synchrotron emission. This is the first clear detection of a bridge associated both with an outlying cluster relic and X-ray diffuse emission. All the indicators point towards the synchrotron bridge being related to the post-shock turbulent wake trailing the shock front generated by a major merger in a massive cluster. Although predicted by simulations, this is the first time such emission is detected with high significance and clearly associated with the path of a confirmed shock. Although the origin of the relativistic electrons is still unknown, the turbulent re-acceleration model provides a natural explanation for the large-scale emission. The equipartition magnetic field intensity of the bridge is Beq = 2.2±0.3 µG. We further detect diffuse emission coincident with the central regions of the cluster for the first time.
Abstract Copyright:
© 2013 The Authors Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society (2013)
Journal keyword(s):
acceleration of particles - polarization - radiation mechanisms: non-thermal - shock waves - galaxies: clusters: general - galaxies: clusters: individual: A3667
Nomenclature:
Table 1: [CBS2013] NN (Nos 1-13).
Simbad objects:
23
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