The Peculiar Mini-Halo in the Shapley Supercluster Member Abell 3558

TL;DR

This study reveals an extended mini-halo in galaxy cluster Abell 3558, showing complex correlations with X-ray features, and suggests turbulent re-acceleration from sloshing motions caused by a minor merger.

Contribution

First detailed multi-band radio and X-ray analysis of the diffuse emission in Abell 3558, identifying it as a mini-halo powered by turbulence from sloshing motions.

Findings

Diffuse emission extends 550 kpc, with a 100 kpc extension beyond the cold front.

Radio spectrum is steep, with $eta=1.18$, showing local fluctuations.

Radio-X-ray correlation is sub-linear and frequency-dependent.

Abstract

We present a multi-band study of the diffuse emission in the galaxy cluster Abell 3558, located in the core of the Shapley Supercluster. Using new MeerKAT UHF-Band and uGMRT Band-3 observations, and published MeerKAT L-band and ASKAP 887 MHz data, we perform a detailed analysis of the diffuse emission in the cluster centre. We complement with XMM-Newton X-ray information for a thorough study of the connection between the thermal and non-thermal properties of the cluster. We find that the diffuse radio emission in the cluster centre is more extended than published earlier, with a previously undetected extension spanning 100 kpc towards the north beyond the innermost cold front, increasing the total size of the emission to 550 kpc, and shows a clear spatial correlation with the X-ray features. The overall radio spectrum is steep ($\alpha_{\rm 400\,MHz}^{\rm 1569\,MHz}=1.18\pm0.10$), with local fluctuations which show several connections with the X-ray surface brightness, cold fronts, and residual emission. The point-to-point correlation between the radio and X-ray surface brightness is sub-linear, and steepens with increasing frequency. We discuss the classification of the diffuse emission considering its overall properties, those of the ICM, and the existing scaling laws between the radio and X-ray quantities in galaxy clusters. We conclude that it is a mini-halo, powered by turbulent (re)-acceleration induced by sloshing motions within the cluster region delimited by the cold fronts, and it supports the picture of a known minor merger between A\,3558 and the group SC\,1327--312 with mass ratio 5:1.