Collimated synchrotron threads linking the radio lobes of ESO 137-006
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Date
Authors
Ramatsoku, Mpati
Murgia, M.
Vacca, V.
Serra, P.
Makhathini, Sphesihle
Govoni, F.
Smirnov, Oleg M.
Andati, L.A.L.
De Blok, E.
Józsa, G.I.G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
EDP Sciences
Abstract
We present MeerKAT 1000 MHz and 1400 MHz observations of a bright radio galaxy in the southern hemisphere, ESO 137-006. The
galaxy lies at the centre of the massive and merging Norma galaxy cluster. The MeerKAT continuum images (rms ∼0.02 mJy beam−1
at ∼1000 resolution) reveal new features that have never been seen in a radio galaxy before: collimated synchrotron threads of yet
unknown origin, which link the extended and bent radio lobes of ESO 137-006. The most prominent of these threads stretches in
projection for about 80 kpc and is about 1 kpc in width. The radio spectrum of the threads is steep, with a spectral index of up to α ' 2
between 1000 and 1400 MHz.
Description
Keywords
Radio continuum: galaxies, MeerKAT radio telescope
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
M. Ramatsoku., M. Murgia., V. Vacca., P. Serra., S. Makhathini., F. Govoni., O. Smirnov., L. A. L. Andati., E. de Blok., G. I. G. Józsa., P. Kamphuis., D. Kleiner., F. M. Maccagni., D. Cs. Molnár., A. J. T. Ramaila., K. Thorat and S. V. White. Collimated synchrotron threads linking the radio lobes of ESO 137-006. Astronomy and Astrophysics, 636 (2020) L1
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202037800.