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arXiv 0910.4967astro-ph.CO
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Abell 2256中漫陡谱源的发现

The discovery of diffuse steep spectrum sources in Abell 2256

R. J. van Weeren, H. T. Intema, J. B. R. Oonk, H. J. A. Rottgering, T. E. Clarke

摘要:

背景:分层星系形成模型表明,在它们的一生中,星系团经历了几次合并。在这里,我们报告的发现三个弥漫的无线电源在外围的阿贝尔2256,使用GMRT。目的:观测的目的是在Abell 2256星系团内寻找弥散超陡谱射电源。方法:我们对Abell 2256进行了GMRT 325 MHz射电连续谱观测。用4.2mWHT拍摄了星团的V、R和I波段图像。结果:在距星团中心约1 Mpc处发现了3个弥散细长射电源。两个位于集群中心的西部,一个位于东南部。这些源的测量物理范围分别为170、140和240千秒差距。这两个西部源在115-165 MHz的深度低分辨率WSRT图像中也可见,尽管它们被混合成一个源。对于混合源的组合发射,我们发现在140和351 MHz之间的极端谱指数为-2.05 \pm 0.14。非常陡峭的光谱指数表明,这两个来源最有可能是化石射电等离子体由于合并冲击绝热压缩的结果。结论:陡谱源的发现意味着在(合并)星团中存在着一群微弱的弥散射电源,它们具有如此陡峭的谱,以至于在更高频率(\gtrsim 1 GHz)的观测中没有被注意到。因此,一个令人兴奋的可能性是,这些源将决定低频高分辨率无线电地图中集群的一般外观,例如LOFAR或LWA。

英文摘要:

Context: Hierarchical galaxy formation models indicate that during their lifetime galaxy clusters undergo several mergers. Here we report on the discovery of three diffuse radio sources in the periphery of Abell 2256, using the GMRT. Aims: The aim of the observations was to search for diffuse ultra-steep spectrum radio sources within the galaxy cluster Abell 2256. Methods: We have carried out GMRT 325 MHz radio continuum observations of Abell 2256. V, R and I band images of the cluster were taken with the 4.2m WHT. Results: We have discovered three diffuse elongated radio sources located about 1 Mpc from the cluster center. Two are located to the west of the cluster center, and one to the southeast. The sources have a measured physical extent of 170, 140 and 240 kpc, respectively. The two western sources are also visible in deep low-resolution 115-165 MHz WSRT images, although they are blended into a single source. For the combined emission of the blended source we find an extreme spectral index of -2.05\pm 0.14 between 140 and 351 MHz. The extremely steep spectral index suggests these two sources are most likely the result of adiabatic compression of fossil radio plasma due to merger shocks. Conclusions: The discovery of the steep spectrum sources implies the existence of a population of faint diffuse radio sources in (merging) clusters with such steep spectra that they have gone unnoticed in higher frequency (\gtrsim 1 GHz) observations. An exciting possibility therefore is that such sources will determine the general appearance of clusters in low-frequency high resolution radio maps as will be produced by for example LOFAR or LWA.

机构、总结、中文摘要均由AI分析而来,可能存在错误,请以论文正文为准。

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