AGN feedback in galaxy groups: a joint GMRT/X-ray study

TL;DR

This study combines low-frequency radio observations with X-ray data to investigate AGN feedback mechanisms in galaxy groups, revealing how AGN activity influences hot gas dynamics and thermal states.

Contribution

It demonstrates the effectiveness of joint GMRT radio and X-ray observations in understanding AGN feedback in galaxy groups, highlighting two case studies with different interaction types.

Findings

Low-frequency radio data reveal AGN outburst history.

X-ray data show hot gas disturbances and heating.

Joint analysis provides insights into feedback processes.

Abstract

We present an ongoing study of 18 nearby galaxy groups, chosen for the availability of Chandra and/or XMM-Newton data and evidence for AGN/hot intragroup gas interaction. We have obtained 235 and 610 MHz observations at the GMRT for all the groups, and 327 and 150 MHz for a few. We discuss two interesting cases - NGC 5044 and AWM 4 - which exhibit different kinds of AGN/hot gas interaction. With the help of these examples we show how joining low-frequency radio data (to track the history of AGN outbursts through emission from aged electron populations) with X-ray data (to determine the state of hot gas, its disturbances, heating and cooling) can provide a unique insight into the nature of the feedback mechanism in galaxy groups.