A radio ridge connecting two galaxy clusters in a filament of the cosmic web

F. Govoni, E. Orrù, A. Bonafede, M. Iacobelli, R. Paladino, F. Vazza, M. Murgia, V. Vacca, G. Giovannini, L. Feretti, F. Loi, G. Bernardi, C. Ferrari, R. F. Pizzo, C. Gheller, S. Manti, M. Brüggen, G. Brunetti, R. Cassano, F. De GasperinT. A. Enßlin, M. Hoeft, C. Horellou, H. Junklewitz, H. J.A. Röttgering, A. M.M. Scaife, T. W. Shimwell, R. J. Van Weeren, M. Wise

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Galaxy clusters are the most massive gravitationally bound structures in the Universe.They grow by accreting smaller structures in a merging process that produces shocks and turbulence in the intracluster gas.We observed a ridge of radio emission connecting the merging galaxy clusters Abell 0399 and Abell 0401 with the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR) telescope network at 140 megahertz. This emission requires a population of relativistic electrons and a magnetic field located in a filament between the two galaxy clusters. We performed simulations to show that a volume-filling distribution of weak shocks may reaccelerate a preexisting population of relativistic particles, producing emission at radio wavelengths that illuminates the magnetic ridge.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)981-984
    Number of pages4
    JournalScience
    Volume364
    Issue number6444
    Early online date7 Jun 2019
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2019

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