Search

Observed in a significant fraction of clusters and groups of galaxies, diffuse radio synchrotron emission reveals the presence of relativistic electrons and magnetic fields permeating large-scale systems of galaxies. Although these non-thermal electrons are expected to upscatter cosmic microwave background photons up to hard X-ray energies, such inverse-Compton (IC) X-ray emission has so far not been unambiguously detected on cluster/group scales. Using deep, new proprietary XMM-Newton observations ($\sim$200 ks of clean exposure), we report a 4.6$\sigma$ detection of extended IC X-ray emission in MRC 0116+111, an extraordinary group of galaxies at $z = 0.131$. Assuming a spectral slope derived from low-frequency radio data, the detection remains robust to systematic uncertainties. Together with low-frequency radio data from GMRT, this detection provides an estimate for the volume-averaged magnetic field of $(1.9 \pm 0.3)$ $\mu$G within the central part of the group. This value can serve as an anchor for studies of magnetic fields in the largest gravitationally bound systems in the Universe., Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

It has long been suspected that powerful radio sources may lower the efficiency with which stars form from the molecular gas in their host galaxy, but so far, alternative mechanisms, in particular related to the stellar mass distribution in the massive bulges of their host galaxies, are not ruled out. We present new ALMA CO(1-0) interferometry of cold molecular gas in the nearby (z=0.0755), massive (M_stellar=4x10^11 M_sun), isolated, late-type spiral galaxy 2MASSX J23453269-044925, which is outstanding for having two pairs of powerful, giant radio jets, and a bright X-ray halo. The molecular gas is in a massive (M_gas=2x10^10 M_sun), 24 kpc wide, rapidly rotating ring, which is associated with the inner stellar disk. Broad (FWHM=70-180 km s^-1) lines with complex profiles associated with the radio source are seen over large regions in the ring, indicating gas velocities that are high enough to keep the otherwise marginally Toomre-stable gas from fragmenting into gravitationally bound, star-forming clouds. About 1-2% of the jet kinetic energy are required to power these motions. Resolved star-formation rate surface densities fall factors 50-75 short of expectations from the Kennicutt-Schmidt law of star-forming galaxies, and near gas-rich early-type galaxies with signatures of star formation lowered by jet feedback. We argue that radio AGN feedback is the only plausible mechanism to explain the low star-formation rates in this galaxy. Previous authors have already noted that the X-ray halo of J2345-0449 implies a baryon fraction near the cosmic average, which is very high for a galaxy. We contrast this finding with other, equally massive baryon-rich spiral galaxies without prominent radio sources. Most of the baryons in these galaxies are in stars, not in the halos. We also discuss the implications of our results for our general understanding of AGN feedback in massive galaxies., Comment: Submitted to A&A. Comments welcome!

In this work, we investigate the dynamical state of the galaxy cluster Abell 2631, a massive structure located at the core of the Saraswati supercluster. To do this, we first solve a tension found in the literature regarding the weak-lensing mass determination of the cluster. We do this through a comprehensive weak-lensing analysis, exploring the power of the combination of shear and magnification data sets. We find $M_{200}^{\rm wl} = 8.7_{-2.9}^{+2.5} \times 10^{14}$ M$_\odot$. We also determined the mass based on the dynamics of spectroscopic members, corresponding to $M_{200}^{\rm dy} = 12.2\pm3.0 \times 10^{14}$ M$_\odot$, consistent within a 68 per cent CL with the weak-lensing estimate. The scenarios provided by the mass distribution and dynamics of galaxies are reconciled with those provided by X-ray observations in a scenario where A2631 is observed at a late stage of merging., Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures, 6 tables. Accepted on Nov, 13 for publication in MNRAS

We present a deep XMM-Newton observation of the extremely massive, rapidly rotating, relativistic-jet-launching spiral galaxy 2MASX J23453268-0449256. Diffuse X-ray emission from the hot gaseous halo around the galaxy is robustly detected out to a radius of 160 kpc, corresponding roughly to 35 per cent of the virial radius ($\approx 450$ kpc). We fit the X-ray emission with the standard isothermal $\beta$ model, and it is found that the enclosed gas mass within 160 kpc is $1.15_{-0.24}^{+0.22} \times 10^{11} \, \rm{M}_{\odot}$. Extrapolating the gas mass profile out to the virial radius, the estimated gas mass is $8.25_{-1.77}^{+1.62} \times 10^{11} \, \rm{M}_{\odot}$, which makes up roughly 65 per cent of the total baryon mass content of the galaxy. When the stellar mass is considered and accounting for the statistical and systematic uncertainties, the baryon mass fraction within the virial radius is $0.121_{-0.043}^{+0.043}$, in agreement with the universal baryon fraction. The baryon mass fraction is consistent with all baryons falling within $r_{200}$, or with only half of the baryons falling within $r_{200}$. Similar to the massive spiral galaxies NGC 1961 and NGC 6753, we find a low value for the metal abundance of $\approx 0.1 {\rm{Z}}_{\odot}$, which appears uniform with radius. We also detect diffuse X-ray emission associated with the northern and southern lobes, possibly attributed to inverse Compton scattering of cosmic microwave background photons. The estimated energy densities of the electrons and magnetic field in these radio lobes suggest that they are electron-dominated by a factor of 10$-$200, depending on the choice of the lower cut-off energy of the electron spectrum., Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures, 4 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

Giant radio galaxies (GRGs) are a subclass of radio galaxies which have grown to megaparsec scales. GRGs are much rarer than normal sized radio galaxies (< 0.7 Mpc) and the reason for their gigantic sizes is still debated. Here, we report the biggest sample of GRGs identified to date. These objects were found in the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey (LoTSS) first data release images, which cover a 424 square degrees region. Of the 239 GRGs found, 225 are new discoveries. The GRGs in our sample have sizes ranging from 0.7 to 3.5 Mpc and have redshifts (z) between 0.1 and 2.3. Seven GRGs have sizes above 2 Mpc and one has a size of ~ 3.5 Mpc. The sample contains 40 GRGs hosted by spectroscopically confirmed quasars. Here, we present the search techniques employed and the resulting catalogue of the newly discovered large sample of GRGs along with their radio properties. We, here also show for the first time that the spectral index of GRGs is similar to that of normal sized radio galaxies, indicating that most of the GRG population is not dead or is not like remnant type radio galaxy. We find 20/239 GRGs in our sample are located at the centres of clusters and present our analysis on their cluster environment and radio morphology., Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

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 ($\sim$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-energising part of the relativistic electron population, the gas properties lie within the $L_X$-$T$ 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 ($\ge$4.3 $\mu$G). Finally, we discuss some interesting properties of a distant ($z \simeq 0.525$) galaxy cluster serendipitously discovered in our EPIC field of view., Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

Giant radio galaxies (GRGs) are a subclass of radio galaxies which have grown to megaparsec scales. GRGs are much rarer than normal sized radio galaxies (< 0.7 Mpc) and the reason for their gigantic sizes is still debated. Here, we report the biggest sample of GRGs identified to date. These objects were found in the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey (LoTSS) first data release images, which cover a 424 square degrees region. Of the 239 GRGs found, 225 are new discoveries. The GRGs in our sample have sizes ranging from 0.7 to 3.5 Mpc and have redshifts (z) between 0.1 and 2.3. Seven GRGs have sizes above 2 Mpc and one has a size of ~ 3.5 Mpc. The sample contains 40 GRGs hosted by spectroscopically confirmed quasars. Here, we present the search techniques employed and the resulting catalogue of the newly discovered large sample of GRGs along with their radio properties. We, here also show for the first time that the spectral index of GRGs is similar to that of normal sized radio galaxies, indicating that most of the GRG population is not dead or is not like remnant type radio galaxy. We find 20/239 GRGs in our sample are located at the centres of clusters and present our analysis on their cluster environment and radio morphology., Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

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 ($\sim$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-energising part of the relativistic electron population, the gas properties lie within the $L_X$-$T$ 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 ($\ge$4.3 $\mu$G). Finally, we discuss some interesting properties of a distant ($z \simeq 0.525$) galaxy cluster serendipitously discovered in our EPIC field of view., Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

We present a comprehensive multi-wavelength analysis of the merging galaxy cluster MACS~J0417.5-1154 at a redshift of $z=0.44$, using available images red obtained with \chandra\ in X-ray, {\it Subaru}, {\it Hubble Space Telescope} (HST) in optical, {\it Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope} (GMRT) in radio and {\it Bolocam} at 2.1~mm wavelength. This is an example of a complex merging galaxy cluster also hosting a steep-spectrum Mpc scale radio halo. The mass distribution obtained by weak lensing reconstruction shows that MACS~J0417.5-1154 belongs to the dissociative class of mergers, where one of its substructures has had its gas content detached after the pericentric passage. We find the main cluster mass $M_{200}~=~11.5^{+3.0}_{-3.5} \times 10^{14}\ M_\odot$ and the smaller second (sub)cluster mass to be $M_{200}~=~1.96^{+1.60}_{-0.95} \times 10^{14}\ M_\odot$, leading to a large total mass of $M_{200}~=~13.8^{+2.6}_{-2.8} \times 10^{14}\ M_\odot$. The overall structure, surface brightness profile, temperature and metal abundance of the intra-cluster medium (ICM) all point towards the presence of a cold front and merger induced gas-sloshing motion near the core. We detect a surface brightness edge to the south$-$east direction at a projected distance of $\sim$45 arcsec ($\sim$255\,kpc) from the centre of this cluster. The X-ray spectral analysis across the inner and outer edge allows us to confirm the detected edge as a cold front. The GMRT 235\,MHz observation shows a comet$-$like extended sychrotron radio halo emission trailing behind the cold front. The peak of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich decrement is found displaced from the centre of X-ray emission, which is interpreted as consequence of the merger dynamics., Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRAS

We present a comprehensive multi-wavelength analysis of the merging galaxy cluster MACS~J0417.5-1154 at a redshift of $z=0.44$, using available images red obtained with \chandra\ in X-ray, {\it Subaru}, {\it Hubble Space Telescope} (HST) in optical, {\it Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope} (GMRT) in radio and {\it Bolocam} at 2.1~mm wavelength. This is an example of a complex merging galaxy cluster also hosting a steep-spectrum Mpc scale radio halo. The mass distribution obtained by weak lensing reconstruction shows that MACS~J0417.5-1154 belongs to the dissociative class of mergers, where one of its substructures has had its gas content detached after the pericentric passage. We find the main cluster mass $M_{200}~=~11.5^{+3.0}_{-3.5} \times 10^{14}\ M_\odot$ and the smaller second (sub)cluster mass to be $M_{200}~=~1.96^{+1.60}_{-0.95} \times 10^{14}\ M_\odot$, leading to a large total mass of $M_{200}~=~13.8^{+2.6}_{-2.8} \times 10^{14}\ M_\odot$. The overall structure, surface brightness profile, temperature and metal abundance of the intra-cluster medium (ICM) all point towards the presence of a cold front and merger induced gas-sloshing motion near the core. We detect a surface brightness edge to the south$-$east direction at a projected distance of $\sim$45 arcsec ($\sim$255\,kpc) from the centre of this cluster. The X-ray spectral analysis across the inner and outer edge allows us to confirm the detected edge as a cold front. The GMRT 235\,MHz observation shows a comet$-$like extended sychrotron radio halo emission trailing behind the cold front. The peak of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich decrement is found displaced from the centre of X-ray emission, which is interpreted as consequence of the merger dynamics., Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRAS

© 2017, Society for Imaging Science and Technology. We propose a novel tool for re-rendering objects in indoor scene images with new textures. It aims to address the problem of too much manual work of positioning and alignment when applying new texture onto an object surface in an indoor scene image. The algorithm of the tool is based on establishing 2D projective transformation between texture images and planar object surfaces in scene images. In order to find the transformation, we use a sampled rectangular texture pattern from a large synthesized planar texture and a planar quadrangle corresponding to object surface orientation estimation, which is generated by a geometric orientation hypothesis framework. The tool also puts effort in adjusting the scaling and reducing artifacts for re-rendered textures. We present the re-rendering results for ceilings, walls, floors, etc. that naturally correspond to room geometry layout.

© 2017, Society for Imaging Science and Technology. In this paper we present a method of texture synthesis which removes the need for users to set, or even understand, parameters which have an impact on the synthesized output. We accomplish this by first classifying each input texture sample into one of three texture types: regular, irregular and stochastic. We found that textures within a class were synthesized well with similar parameters. If we know the input texture class, we can provide a good starting set of parameters for the synthesis algorithm. Instead of requiring a user to manually select a set of parameters, we simply ask that the user tell us whether the synthesized texture is satisfactory or not. If the output is not satisfactory, we adjust parameters and try again until the user is happy with the output. In this implementation we use the image quilting method in [1], a texture synthesis algorithm, as well as texture classification. With small adjustments our method can be applied to other texture synthesis methods.

© 2017, Society for Imaging Science and Technology. We present a click-based interactive segmentation for indoor scenes, which allows the user to select an object or region within the scene in a few clicks. The goal for the click-based approach is to provide the user with a simple method to reduce the amount of input required for segmentation. We first present an effective global segmentation strategy, which provides a rough separation of different textures. The user, then, places a few clicks to segment the target. A novel Trimap assignment strategy is proposed to utilize the click information. To study the performance of our method, psychophysical experiments were conducted to compare our click-based approach with other existing methods.

We present detailed science cases that a large fraction of the Indian AGN community is interested in pursuing with the upcoming Square Kilometre Array (SKA). These interests range from understanding low luminosity active galactic nuclei in the nearby Universe to powerful radio galaxies at high redshifts. Important unresolved science questions in AGN physics are discussed. Ongoing low-frequency surveys with the SKA pathfinder telescope GMRT, are highlighted., Comment: To appear in Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy (JOAA) special issue on "Science with the SKA: an Indian perspective"

Massive galaxy clusters are the most violent large scale structures undergoing merger events in the Universe. Based upon their morphological properties in X-rays, they are classified as un-relaxed and relaxed clusters and often host (a fraction of them) different types of non-thermal radio emitting components, viz., haloes, mini-haloes, relics and phoenix within their Intra Cluster Medium (ICM). The radio haloes show steep (alpha = -1.2) and ultra steep (alpha < -1.5) spectral properties at low radio frequencies, giving important insights on the merger (pre or post) state of the cluster. Ultra steep spectrum radio halo emissions are rare and expected to be the dominating population to be discovered via LOFAR and SKA in the future. Further, the distribution of matter (morphological information), alignment of hot X-ray emitting gas from the ICM with the total mass (dark + baryonic matter) and the bright cluster galaxy (BCG) is generally used to study the dynamical state of the cluster. We present here a multi wavelength study on 14 massive clusters from the CLASH survey and show the correlation between the state of their merger in X-ray and spectral properties (1.4 GHz - 150 MHz) at radio wavelengths. Using the optical data we also discuss about the gas-mass alignment, in order to understand the interplay between dark and baryonic matter in massive galaxy clusters., Comment: 6 pages, Soci\'et\'e Fran\c{c}aise d'Astronomie et d'Astrophysique meeting, Lyon-France, 2016

Massive galaxy clusters are the most violent large scale structures undergoing merger events in the Universe. Based upon their morphological properties in X-rays, they are classified as un-relaxed and relaxed clusters and often host (a fraction of them) different types of non-thermal radio emitting components, viz., haloes, mini-haloes, relics and phoenix within their Intra Cluster Medium (ICM). The radio haloes show steep (alpha = -1.2) and ultra steep (alpha < -1.5) spectral properties at low radio frequencies, giving important insights on the merger (pre or post) state of the cluster. Ultra steep spectrum radio halo emissions are rare and expected to be the dominating population to be discovered via LOFAR and SKA in the future. Further, the distribution of matter (morphological information), alignment of hot X-ray emitting gas from the ICM with the total mass (dark + baryonic matter) and the bright cluster galaxy (BCG) is generally used to study the dynamical state of the cluster. We present here a multi wavelength study on 14 massive clusters from the CLASH survey and show the correlation between the state of their merger in X-ray and spectral properties (1.4 GHz - 150 MHz) at radio wavelengths. Using the optical data we also discuss about the gas-mass alignment, in order to understand the interplay between dark and baryonic matter in massive galaxy clusters., Comment: 6 pages, Soci\'et\'e Fran\c{c}aise d'Astronomie et d'Astrophysique meeting, Lyon-France, 2016

We present detailed science cases that a large fraction of the Indian AGN community is interested in pursuing with the upcoming Square Kilometre Array (SKA). These interests range from understanding low luminosity active galactic nuclei in the nearby Universe to powerful radio galaxies at high redshifts. Important unresolved science questions in AGN physics are discussed. Ongoing low-frequency surveys with the SKA pathfinder telescope GMRT, are highlighted., Comment: To appear in Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy (JOAA) special issue on "Science with the SKA: an Indian perspective"

Merging galaxy clusters leave long-lasting signatures on the baryonic and non-baryonic cluster constituents, including shock fronts, cold fronts, X-ray substructure, radio halos, and offsets between the dark matter and the gas components. Using observations from Chandra, the Jansky Very Large Array, the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope, and the Hubble Space Telescope, we present a multiwavelength analysis of the merging Frontier Fields cluster MACS J0416.1-2403 (z=0.396), which consists of a NE and a SW subclusters whose cores are separated on the sky by ~250 kpc. We find that the NE subcluster has a compact core and hosts an X-ray cavity, yet it is not a cool core. Approximately 450 kpc south-south west of the SW subcluster, we detect a density discontinuity that corresponds to a compression factor of ~1.5. The discontinuity was most likely caused by the interaction of the SW subcluster with a less massive structure detected in the lensing maps SW of the subcluster's center. For both the NE and the SW subclusters, the dark matter and the gas components are well-aligned, suggesting that MACS J0416.1-2403 is a pre-merging system. The cluster also hosts a radio halo, which is unusual for a pre-merging system. The halo has a 1.4 GHz power of (1.06 +/- 0.09) x 10^{24} W Hz^{-1}, which is somewhat lower than expected based on the X-ray luminosity of the cluster. We suggest that we are either witnessing the birth of a radio halo, or have discovered a rare ultra-steep spectrum halo., Comment: Submitted to ApJ. Comments are welcome

Merging galaxy clusters leave long-lasting signatures on the baryonic and non-baryonic cluster constituents, including shock fronts, cold fronts, X-ray substructure, radio halos, and offsets between the dark matter and the gas components. Using observations from Chandra, the Jansky Very Large Array, the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope, and the Hubble Space Telescope, we present a multiwavelength analysis of the merging Frontier Fields cluster MACS J0416.1-2403 (z=0.396), which consists of a NE and a SW subclusters whose cores are separated on the sky by ~250 kpc. We find that the NE subcluster has a compact core and hosts an X-ray cavity, yet it is not a cool core. Approximately 450 kpc south-south west of the SW subcluster, we detect a density discontinuity that corresponds to a compression factor of ~1.5. The discontinuity was most likely caused by the interaction of the SW subcluster with a less massive structure detected in the lensing maps SW of the subcluster's center. For both the NE and the SW subclusters, the dark matter and the gas components are well-aligned, suggesting that MACS J0416.1-2403 is a pre-merging system. The cluster also hosts a radio halo, which is unusual for a pre-merging system. The halo has a 1.4 GHz power of (1.06 +/- 0.09) x 10^{24} W Hz^{-1}, which is somewhat lower than expected based on the X-ray luminosity of the cluster. We suggest that we are either witnessing the birth of a radio halo, or have discovered a rare ultra-steep spectrum halo., Comment: Submitted to ApJ. Comments are welcome

We present a deep Chandra observation of the extremely massive spiral galaxy 2MASX J23453268-0449256, the first X-ray observation of this very rare system which features the largest known relativistic jets from a spiral galaxy. We detect extended X-ray emission from the hot halo surrounding the galaxy, reaching out to 80 kpc in radius. The hot halo is elongated along the plane of the spiral galaxy, and one possibility is that the powerful relativistic jets have disrupted the hot halo gas located perpendicular to the disk. Our calculations indicate that it is energetically feasible that the AGN feedback in this system could have uplifted or completely expelled a significant fraction of the gas in the 20-80 kpc radial range. We also detect extended emission which appears to be associated with the inner and outer southern radio lobes, and is possibly the result of inverse Compton emission. Using the observed X-ray and radio luminosity of the central AGN, the fundamental plane of Gultekin et al. predicts a black hole mass of 5x10^8 M_solar, with a range of 1x10^8 - 3x10^9 M_solar when the scatter in the fundamental plane relation is taken into account. This is consistent with the possibility that an exceptionally massive (>10^9 M_solar) black hole lies at the centre of this galaxy, as suggested by the M_BH-sigma scaling relation, but a tighter constraint cannot be made., Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

We present a deep Chandra observation of the extremely massive spiral galaxy 2MASX J23453268-0449256, the first X-ray observation of this very rare system which features the largest known relativistic jets from a spiral galaxy. We detect extended X-ray emission from the hot halo surrounding the galaxy, reaching out to 80 kpc in radius. The hot halo is elongated along the plane of the spiral galaxy, and one possibility is that the powerful relativistic jets have disrupted the hot halo gas located perpendicular to the disk. Our calculations indicate that it is energetically feasible that the AGN feedback in this system could have uplifted or completely expelled a significant fraction of the gas in the 20-80 kpc radial range. We also detect extended emission which appears to be associated with the inner and outer southern radio lobes, and is possibly the result of inverse Compton emission. Using the observed X-ray and radio luminosity of the central AGN, the fundamental plane of Gultekin et al. predicts a black hole mass of 5x10^8 M_solar, with a range of 1x10^8 - 3x10^9 M_solar when the scatter in the fundamental plane relation is taken into account. This is consistent with the possibility that an exceptionally massive (>10^9 M_solar) black hole lies at the centre of this galaxy, as suggested by the M_BH-sigma scaling relation, but a tighter constraint cannot be made., Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

Deep X-ray data from CHANDRA and XMM-Newton, and GMRT radio data are presented for ZwCl 2341.1+0000, an extremely unusual and complex merging cluster of galaxies at the intersection of optical filaments. We propose that energetics of multiple mergers and accretion flows has resulted in wide-spread shocks, acceleration of cosmic ray particles and amplification of weak magnetic fields. This results in Mpc-scale peripheral radio relics and halo like non-thermal emission observed near the merging center., Comment: To appear: Proceedings of the conference "Non-thermal phenomena in colliding galaxy clusters" (Nice, 15-18 November 2010), Memorie della Societa Astronomica Italiana

Massive structures like cluster of galaxies, embedded in cosmic filaments, release enormous amount of energy through their interactions. These events are associated with production of Mpc-scale shocks and injection of considerable amount of turbulence, affecting the non-thermal energy budget of the ICM. In order to study this thoroughly, we performed a set of cosmological simulations using the hydrodynamical code Enzo. We studied the formation of clusters undergoing major mergers, the propagation of merger shocks and their interaction with the filamentary cosmic web. This interaction is shown to produce peripheral structures remarkably similar to giant radio relics observed, for example, in Abell 3376 and Abell 3667. We find a relatively long timescale (about 4 Gyr) for turbulence decay in the centre of major merging clusters. This timescale is substantially longer than typically assumed in the turbulent re-acceleration models, invoked for explaining the statistics of observed radio halos., Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, will be published in NtGC 2010 (Nice, France) conference proceedings

Radio halos are extended and diffuse non-thermal radio sources present at the cluster center, not obviously associated with any individual galaxy. A strong correlation has been found between the cluster X-ray luminosity and the halo radio power. We observe and analyze the diffuse radio emission present in the complex merging structure Abell 523, classified as a low luminosity X-ray cluster, to discuss its properties in the context of the halo total radio power versus X-ray luminosity correlation. We reduced VLA archive observations at 1.4 GHz to derive a deep radio image of the diffuse emission, and compared radio, optical, and X-ray data. Low-resolution VLA images detect a giant radio halo associated with a complex merging region. The properties of this new halo agree with those of radio halos in general discussed in the literature, but its radio power is about a factor of ten higher than expected on the basis of the cluster X-ray luminosity. Our study of this giant radio source demonstrates that radio halos can also be present in clusters with a low X-ray luminosity. Only a few similar cases have so far been found . This result suggests that this source represent a new class of objects, that cannot be explained by classical radio halo models. We suggest that the particle reacceleration related to merging processes is very efficient and/or the X-ray luminosity is not a good indicator of the past merging activity of a cluster., Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures, Astronomy and Astrophysics Letter in press

We present a multi-wavelength study of the energetic interaction between the central active galactic nucleus (AGN), the intra-cluster medium, and the optical emission line nebula in the galaxy cluster Sersic 159-03. We use X-ray data from Chandra, high resolution X-ray spectra and UV images from XMM-Newton, Halpha images from the SOAR telescope, HST optical imaging, and VLA and GMRT radio data. The cluster center displays signs of powerful AGN feedback, which has cleared the central regions (r<7.5 kpc) of dense, X-ray emitting ICM. X-ray spectral maps reveal a high pressure ring surrounding the central AGN at a radius of r~15 kpc, indicating an AGN driven weak shock. The cluster harbors a bright, 44 kpc long Halpha+[NII] filament extending from the centre of the cD galaxy to the north. Along the filament, we see low entropy, high metallicity, cooling X-ray gas. The gas in the filament has most likely been uplifted by `radio mode' AGN activity and subsequently stripped from the galaxy due to its relative southward motion. Because this X-ray gas has been removed from the direct influence of the AGN jets, part of it cools and forms stars as indicated by the observed dust lanes, molecular and ionized emission line nebulae, and the excess UV emission., Comment: submitted to MNRAS

Radio halos are extended and diffuse non-thermal radio sources present at the cluster center, not obviously associated with any individual galaxy. A strong correlation has been found between the cluster X-ray luminosity and the halo radio power. We observe and analyze the diffuse radio emission present in the complex merging structure Abell 523, classified as a low luminosity X-ray cluster, to discuss its properties in the context of the halo total radio power versus X-ray luminosity correlation. We reduced VLA archive observations at 1.4 GHz to derive a deep radio image of the diffuse emission, and compared radio, optical, and X-ray data. Low-resolution VLA images detect a giant radio halo associated with a complex merging region. The properties of this new halo agree with those of radio halos in general discussed in the literature, but its radio power is about a factor of ten higher than expected on the basis of the cluster X-ray luminosity. Our study of this giant radio source demonstrates that radio halos can also be present in clusters with a low X-ray luminosity. Only a few similar cases have so far been found . This result suggests that this source represent a new class of objects, that cannot be explained by classical radio halo models. We suggest that the particle reacceleration related to merging processes is very efficient and/or the X-ray luminosity is not a good indicator of the past merging activity of a cluster., Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures, Astronomy and Astrophysics Letter in press

Massive structures like cluster of galaxies, embedded in cosmic filaments, release enormous amount of energy through their interactions. These events are associated with production of Mpc-scale shocks and injection of considerable amount of turbulence, affecting the non-thermal energy budget of the ICM. In order to study this thoroughly, we performed a set of cosmological simulations using the hydrodynamical code Enzo. We studied the formation of clusters undergoing major mergers, the propagation of merger shocks and their interaction with the filamentary cosmic web. This interaction is shown to produce peripheral structures remarkably similar to giant radio relics observed, for example, in Abell 3376 and Abell 3667. We find a relatively long timescale (about 4 Gyr) for turbulence decay in the centre of major merging clusters. This timescale is substantially longer than typically assumed in the turbulent re-acceleration models, invoked for explaining the statistics of observed radio halos., Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, will be published in NtGC 2010 (Nice, France) conference proceedings

We present a multi-wavelength study of the energetic interaction between the central active galactic nucleus (AGN), the intra-cluster medium, and the optical emission line nebula in the galaxy cluster Sersic 159-03. We use X-ray data from Chandra, high resolution X-ray spectra and UV images from XMM-Newton, Halpha images from the SOAR telescope, HST optical imaging, and VLA and GMRT radio data. The cluster center displays signs of powerful AGN feedback, which has cleared the central regions (r<7.5 kpc) of dense, X-ray emitting ICM. X-ray spectral maps reveal a high pressure ring surrounding the central AGN at a radius of r~15 kpc, indicating an AGN driven weak shock. The cluster harbors a bright, 44 kpc long Halpha+[NII] filament extending from the centre of the cD galaxy to the north. Along the filament, we see low entropy, high metallicity, cooling X-ray gas. The gas in the filament has most likely been uplifted by `radio mode' AGN activity and subsequently stripped from the galaxy due to its relative southward motion. Because this X-ray gas has been removed from the direct influence of the AGN jets, part of it cools and forms stars as indicated by the observed dust lanes, molecular and ionized emission line nebulae, and the excess UV emission., Comment: submitted to MNRAS

Deep X-ray data from CHANDRA and XMM-Newton, and GMRT radio data are presented for ZwCl 2341.1+0000, an extremely unusual and complex merging cluster of galaxies at the intersection of optical filaments. We propose that energetics of multiple mergers and accretion flows has resulted in wide-spread shocks, acceleration of cosmic ray particles and amplification of weak magnetic fields. This results in Mpc-scale peripheral radio relics and halo like non-thermal emission observed near the merging center., Comment: To appear: Proceedings of the conference "Non-thermal phenomena in colliding galaxy clusters" (Nice, 15-18 November 2010), Memorie della Societa Astronomica Italiana

We performed a set of cosmological simulations of major mergers in galaxy clusters to study the evolution of merger shocks and the subsequent injection of turbulence in the post-shock region and in the intra-cluster medium (ICM). The computations were done with the grid-based, adaptive mesh refinement hydro code Enzo, using an especially designed refinement criteria for refining turbulent flows in the vicinity of shocks. A substantial amount of turbulence energy is injected in the ICM due to major merger. Our simulations show that the shock launched after a major merger develops an ellipsoidal shape and gets broken by the interaction with the filamentary cosmic web around the merging cluster. The size of the post-shock region along the direction of shock propagation is about 300 kpc h^-1, and the turbulent velocity dispersion in this region is larger than 100 km s^-1. Scaling analysis of the turbulence energy with the cluster mass within our cluster sample is consistent with M^(5/3), i.e. the scaling law for the thermal energy in the self-similar cluster model. This clearly indicates the close relation between virialization and injection of turbulence in the cluster evolution. We found that the ratio of the turbulent to total pressure in the cluster core within 2 Gyr after the major merger is larger than 10%, and it takes about 4 Gyr to get relaxed, which is substantially longer than typically assumed in the turbulent re-acceleration models, invoked to explain the statistics of observed radio halos. Striking similarities in the morphology and other physical parameters between our simulations and the "symmetrical radio relics" found at the periphery of the merging cluster A3376 are finally discussed. In particular, the interaction between the merger shock and the filaments surrounding the cluster could explain the presence of "notch-like" features at the edges of the double relics., Comment: 16 pages, 19 figures, Published in Astrophysical Journal (online) and printed version will be published on 1st January, 2011

We performed a set of cosmological simulations of major mergers in galaxy clusters to study the evolution of merger shocks and the subsequent injection of turbulence in the post-shock region and in the intra-cluster medium (ICM). The computations were done with the grid-based, adaptive mesh refinement hydro code Enzo, using an especially designed refinement criteria for refining turbulent flows in the vicinity of shocks. A substantial amount of turbulence energy is injected in the ICM due to major merger. Our simulations show that the shock launched after a major merger develops an ellipsoidal shape and gets broken by the interaction with the filamentary cosmic web around the merging cluster. The size of the post-shock region along the direction of shock propagation is about 300 kpc h^-1, and the turbulent velocity dispersion in this region is larger than 100 km s^-1. Scaling analysis of the turbulence energy with the cluster mass within our cluster sample is consistent with M^(5/3), i.e. the scaling law for the thermal energy in the self-similar cluster model. This clearly indicates the close relation between virialization and injection of turbulence in the cluster evolution. We found that the ratio of the turbulent to total pressure in the cluster core within 2 Gyr after the major merger is larger than 10%, and it takes about 4 Gyr to get relaxed, which is substantially longer than typically assumed in the turbulent re-acceleration models, invoked to explain the statistics of observed radio halos. Striking similarities in the morphology and other physical parameters between our simulations and the "symmetrical radio relics" found at the periphery of the merging cluster A3376 are finally discussed. In particular, the interaction between the merger shock and the filaments surrounding the cluster could explain the presence of "notch-like" features at the edges of the double relics., Comment: 16 pages, 19 figures, Published in Astrophysical Journal (online) and printed version will be published on 1st January, 2011

Context: Hierarchal models of large scale structure (LSS) formation predict that galaxy clusters grow via gravitational infall and mergers of (smaller) mass concentrations, such as clusters and galaxy groups. Diffuse radio emission, in the form of radio halos and relics, is found in clusters undergoing a merger, indicating that shocks or turbulence associated with the merger are capable of accelerating electrons to highly relativistic energies. Here we report on radio observations of ZwCl 2341.1+0000, a complex merging structure of galaxies located at z=0.27, using Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) observations. Aims: The main aim of the observations is to study the nature of the diffuse radio emission in the galaxy cluster ZwCl 2341.1+0000. Methods: We have carried out GMRT 610, 241, and 157 MHz continuum observations of ZwCl 2341.1+0000. The radio observations are combined with X-ray and optical data of the cluster. Results: The GMRT observations show the presence of a double peripheral radio relic in the cluster ZwCl 2341.1+0000. The spectral index is -0.49 \pm 0.18 for the northern relic and -0.76 \pm 0.17 for the southern relic respectively. We have derived values of 0.48-0.93 microGauss for the equipartition magnetic field strength. The relics are probably associated with an outwards traveling merger shock waves., Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in A&A on July 30, 2009

Context: Hierarchal models of large scale structure (LSS) formation predict that galaxy clusters grow via gravitational infall and mergers of (smaller) mass concentrations, such as clusters and galaxy groups. Diffuse radio emission, in the form of radio halos and relics, is found in clusters undergoing a merger, indicating that shocks or turbulence associated with the merger are capable of accelerating electrons to highly relativistic energies. Here we report on radio observations of ZwCl 2341.1+0000, a complex merging structure of galaxies located at z=0.27, using Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) observations. Aims: The main aim of the observations is to study the nature of the diffuse radio emission in the galaxy cluster ZwCl 2341.1+0000. Methods: We have carried out GMRT 610, 241, and 157 MHz continuum observations of ZwCl 2341.1+0000. The radio observations are combined with X-ray and optical data of the cluster. Results: The GMRT observations show the presence of a double peripheral radio relic in the cluster ZwCl 2341.1+0000. The spectral index is -0.49 \pm 0.18 for the northern relic and -0.76 \pm 0.17 for the southern relic respectively. We have derived values of 0.48-0.93 microGauss for the equipartition magnetic field strength. The relics are probably associated with an outwards traveling merger shock waves., Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in A&A on July 30, 2009

We describe multiwavelength optical, X-ray and radio evidences of energetic mergers in southern galaxy cluster Abell 3376 (A3376, redshift z=0.046, X-ray luminosity $ \rm L_{X}(0.1-2.4 keV)= 2.48 \times 10^{44} erg s^{-1}$). Here we report the rare discovery of gigantic, Mpc-scale non-thermal radio structures (`radio-arcs'), shaped like a pair of bow-shock fronts on the merger axis. We argue for the shock acceleration origin of the radio emission and discuss the possibilty of acceleration of very high energy cosmic ray particles in this and similar clusters. At redshift z=0.04, cluster A3376 is near enough that some of these primary or secondary cosmic ray components could actually be detected by new cosmic ray telescopes, particularly the energetic inverse Compton hard X-ray/gamma-ray photons upto extreme energies $E_{\gamma} \sim 100 {\gamma^{e}_{7}}^{2}$ GeV (where ${\gamma^{e}_{7}}$ is the electron Lorentz factor in units of $10^7$). Identification of radio or hard X-ray/gamma-ray emission from structure formation shocks holds a great promise for advancing current knowledge on shock formation in the IGM. It should provide the first direct evidence for such shocks, revealing the underlying large-scale cosmological flows. When combined with hard X-ray or gamma-ray detection, the radio signal will provide a direct measure of the unknown magnetic fields in the IGM, thus providing a better understanding of processes leading to IGM magnetization and also acceleration and propagation of ultra-high energy cosmic rays., Comment: Replaced with slightly modified submitted version. We discuss the possiblity of both accretion-skocks and merger-shocks. 4 pages, 2 Figures. To appear in the Proceedings of the 29th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC), Pune, India

We describe multiwavelength optical, X-ray and radio evidences of energetic mergers in southern galaxy cluster Abell 3376 (A3376, redshift z=0.046, X-ray luminosity $ \rm L_{X}(0.1-2.4 keV)= 2.48 \times 10^{44} erg s^{-1}$). Here we report the rare discovery of gigantic, Mpc-scale non-thermal radio structures (`radio-arcs'), shaped like a pair of bow-shock fronts on the merger axis. We argue for the shock acceleration origin of the radio emission and discuss the possibilty of acceleration of very high energy cosmic ray particles in this and similar clusters. At redshift z=0.04, cluster A3376 is near enough that some of these primary or secondary cosmic ray components could actually be detected by new cosmic ray telescopes, particularly the energetic inverse Compton hard X-ray/gamma-ray photons upto extreme energies $E_{\gamma} \sim 100 {\gamma^{e}_{7}}^{2}$ GeV (where ${\gamma^{e}_{7}}$ is the electron Lorentz factor in units of $10^7$). Identification of radio or hard X-ray/gamma-ray emission from structure formation shocks holds a great promise for advancing current knowledge on shock formation in the IGM. It should provide the first direct evidence for such shocks, revealing the underlying large-scale cosmological flows. When combined with hard X-ray or gamma-ray detection, the radio signal will provide a direct measure of the unknown magnetic fields in the IGM, thus providing a better understanding of processes leading to IGM magnetization and also acceleration and propagation of ultra-high energy cosmic rays., Comment: Replaced with slightly modified submitted version. We discuss the possiblity of both accretion-skocks and merger-shocks. 4 pages, 2 Figures. To appear in the Proceedings of the 29th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC), Pune, India

We report the observation of the Intra-Cluster Medium (ICM) of Abell 85 by the X-ray satellite BeppoSAX. We have both analysed the spectrum obtained in the central 8 arcmin circular region centred on the Very Steep Spectrum Radio Source (VSSRS) and the spectra from a number of sub-regions. Analysis of the spectra allowed us to independently obtain new estimates of the temperature, metallicity and line-of-sight hydrogen density column, both globally (T=6.6\pm0.3 keV, Z = 0.38\pm0.06 Z_\odot and N_H = 5.5^+0.9_-0.7 10^20 cm^-2) and locally. These measures are in good agreement with previous measures based on ROSAT and ASCA data. In the region of the VSRSS, we have tried to disentangle the thermal from the non-thermal X-ray emission. Although we could not do this unambiguously, we have nonetheless estimated the extended magnetic field using the radio spectrum available for this region. We obtain a lower limit intensity of 0.9 \mu G, consistent with our previous estimate. We also derive alpha-elements/iron abundance ratios that turn out to be higher than 1. Such a result tends to support the burst model for elliptical galaxies, where a strong galactic wind develops early in the galaxy history and type II supernovae (SN) may have the main role in the enrichment of the ICM. A two-temperature ICM model was fitted in the central region yielding a main component with roughly the mean cluster temperature and a cooler component with temperature less than 0.1 keV., Comment: 11 pages, 4 eps figures, uses psfig, accepted for publication in A&A

We report the observation of the Intra-Cluster Medium (ICM) of Abell 85 by the X-ray satellite BeppoSAX. We have both analysed the spectrum obtained in the central 8 arcmin circular region centred on the Very Steep Spectrum Radio Source (VSSRS) and the spectra from a number of sub-regions. Analysis of the spectra allowed us to independently obtain new estimates of the temperature, metallicity and line-of-sight hydrogen density column, both globally (T=6.6\pm0.3 keV, Z = 0.38\pm0.06 Z_\odot and N_H = 5.5^+0.9_-0.7 10^20 cm^-2) and locally. These measures are in good agreement with previous measures based on ROSAT and ASCA data. In the region of the VSRSS, we have tried to disentangle the thermal from the non-thermal X-ray emission. Although we could not do this unambiguously, we have nonetheless estimated the extended magnetic field using the radio spectrum available for this region. We obtain a lower limit intensity of 0.9 \mu G, consistent with our previous estimate. We also derive alpha-elements/iron abundance ratios that turn out to be higher than 1. Such a result tends to support the burst model for elliptical galaxies, where a strong galactic wind develops early in the galaxy history and type II supernovae (SN) may have the main role in the enrichment of the ICM. A two-temperature ICM model was fitted in the central region yielding a main component with roughly the mean cluster temperature and a cooler component with temperature less than 0.1 keV., Comment: 11 pages, 4 eps figures, uses psfig, accepted for publication in A&A

We report the first detection of an inverse Compton X-ray emission, spatially correlated with a very steep spectrum radio source (VSSRS), 0038-096, without any detected optical counterpart, in cluster Abell 85. The ROSAT PSPC data and its multiscale wavelet analysis reveal a large scale (linear diameter of the order of 500 h^{-1}_{50} kpc), diffuse X-ray component, in excess to the thermal bremsstrahlung, overlapping an equally large scale VSSRS. The primeval 3 K background photons, scattering off the relativistic electrons can produce the X-rays at the detected level. The inverse Compton flux is estimated to be (6.5\pm 0.5) 10^{-13} erg s^{-1}cm^{-2} in the 0.5-2.4 keV X-ray band. A new 327 MHz radio map is presented for the cluster field. The synchrotron emission flux is estimated to be (6.6\pm 0.90) \times 10^{-14} erg s^{-1} cm^{-2} in the 10-100 MHz radio band. The positive detection of both radio and X-ray emission from a common ensemble of relativistic electrons leads to an estimate of (0.95\pm 0.10) 10^{-6} G for the cluster-scale magnetic field strength. The estimated field is free of the `equipartition' conjecture, the distance, and the emission volume. Further, the radiative fluxes and the estimated magnetic field imply the presence of `relic' (radiative lifetime > 10^{9} yr) relativistic electrons with Lorentz factors \gamma \approx 700-1700, that would be a significant source of radio emission in the hitherto unexplored frequency range \nu \approx 2-10 MHz., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS Letters

Deep X-ray data from CHANDRA and XMM-Newton, and GMRT radio data are presented for ZwCl 2341.1+0000, an extremely unusual and complex merging cluster of galaxies at the intersection of optical filaments. We propose that energetics of multiple mergers and accretion flows has resulted in wide-spread shocks, acceleration of cosmic ray particles and amplification of weak magnetic fields. This results in Mpc-scale peripheral radio relics and halo like non-thermal emission observed near the merging center.