Tales of AGN tails: How AGN tails become radio relics in merging galaxy clusters?

  • Lee, Wonki (Yonsei university) ;
  • Jee, M. James (Yonsei university)
  • Published : 2021.04.13

Abstract

Radio relics, Mpc-size elongated diffuse radio emissions found at galaxy cluster outskirts, are known as the result of shock acceleration during the cluster merger. Theories have claimed that low Mach number shocks are too inefficient to create the observed properties of radio relics. Alternative scenarios such as fossil cosmic ray electrons (CRes) from AGNs are required to explain the observations. However, how exactly the fossil CRes from AGNs can supply the Mpc-size radio relic is still an open question. In this study, we present our recent uGMRT radio observation results of the merging galaxy cluster Abell 514. We found three remarkable AGN jet tails that may have undergone multiple reorientations and extend nearly 800 kpc. Using multi-frequency data, we have performed spectral analysis along the AGN tails and track how the tails lose or gain energy as they propagate in the intracluster medium. We will discuss whether these AGN jets can provide sufficient seed CRes to radio relics.

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