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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 981-984 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Science |
Volume | 364 |
Issue number | 6444 |
Early online date | 7 Jun 2019 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2019 |