Simulating the Toothbrush: Evidence for a triple merger of galaxy clusters

TL;DR

This paper uses hydrodynamical and N-body simulations to model a complex triple galaxy cluster merger, reproducing the observed radio relic morphology and aiding in understanding shock acceleration processes.

Contribution

It introduces a novel simulation approach to reconstruct the merger geometry of a triple galaxy cluster and predicts observational signatures for validation.

Findings

Reconstructed the merger geometry matching observed radio relic morphology

Predicted lensing mass and X-ray signatures consistent with observations

Provided constraints on shock acceleration parameters in galaxy clusters

Abstract

The newly discovered galaxy cluster 1RXS J0603.3+4214 hosts a 1.9 Mpc long, bright radio relic with a peculiar linear morphology. Using hydrodynamical +N-body AMR simulations of the merger between three initially hydrostatic clusters in an idealised setup, we are able to reconstruct the morphology of the radio relic. Based on our simulation, we can constrain the merger geometry, predict lensing mass measurements and X-ray observations. Comparing such models to X-ray, redshift and lensing data will validate the geometry of this complex merger which helps to constrain the parameters for shock acceleration of electrons that produces the radio relic.