Jets from MRC 0600-399 bent by magnetic fields in the cluster Abell 3376
- 5 May 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Nature
- Vol. 593 (7857), 47-50
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03434-1
Abstract
Galaxy clusters are known to harbour magnetic fields, the nature of which remains unresolved. Intra-cluster magnetic fields can be observed at the density contact discontinuity formed by cool and dense plasma running into hot ambient plasma1,2, and the discontinuity exists3 near the second-brightest galaxy4, MRC 0600-399, in the merging galaxy cluster Abell 3376 (redshift 0.0461). Elongated X-ray emission in the east–west direction shows a comet-like structure that reaches the megaparsec scale5. Previous radio observations6,7 detected the bent jets from MRC 0600-399, moving in same direction as the sub-cluster, against ram pressure. Here we report radio8,9 observations of MRC 0600-399 that have 3.4 and 11 times higher resolution and sensitivity, respectively, than the previous results6. In contrast to typical jets10,11, MRC 0600-399 shows a 90-degree bend at the contact discontinuity, and the collimated jets extend over 100 kiloparsecs from the point of the bend. We see diffuse, elongated emission that we name ‘double-scythe’ structures. The spectral index flattens downstream of the bend point, indicating cosmic-ray reacceleration. High-resolution numerical simulations reveal that the ordered magnetic field along the discontinuity has an important role in the change of jet direction. The morphology of the double-scythe jets is consistent with the simulations. Our results provide insights into the effect of magnetic fields on the evolution of the member galaxies and intra-cluster medium of galaxy clusters.Keywords
Other Versions
This publication has 36 references indexed in Scilit:
- The 1.28 GHz MeerKAT DEEP2 ImageThe Astrophysical Journal, 2020
- X-ray study of the double radio relic Abell 3376 with SuzakuAstronomy & Astrophysics, 2018
- The merging cluster of galaxies Abell 3376: an optical viewAstronomy & Astrophysics, 2013
- Simulations of the merging galaxy cluster Abell 3376Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2013
- Spectral and polarization study of the double relics in Abell 3376 using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope and the Very Large ArrayMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2012
- Giant Ringlike Radio Structures Around Galaxy Cluster Abell 3376Science, 2006
- A Moving Cold Front in the Intergalactic Medium of A3667The Astrophysical Journal, 2001
- ChandraObservation of Abell 2142: Survival of Dense Subcluster Cores in a MergerThe Astrophysical Journal, 2000
- Hot gas in elliptical galaxies and the formation of head-tail radio sourcesThe Astrophysical Journal, 1979
- Radio Sources with Wide-Angle Tails in Abell Clusters of GalaxiesThe Astrophysical Journal, 1976