A deep radio and X-ray view of cluster formation at the crossroads of filaments

TL;DR

This paper presents a multi-wavelength study of a complex merging galaxy cluster at filament intersections, revealing shock-induced cosmic ray acceleration and magnetic field amplification through deep X-ray and radio observations.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the energetics of multiple mergers and accretion flows causing widespread shocks and non-thermal emissions in galaxy clusters.

Findings

Detection of Mpc-scale radio relics and halo-like emissions.

Evidence of shocks and cosmic ray acceleration in the cluster.

Magnetic field amplification associated with merger activity.

Abstract

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.