A shock at the radio relic position in Abell 115

Journal
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
•
•
•
DOI
Abstract
We analysed a deep Chandra observation (334 ks) of the galaxy cluster Abell 115 and detected a shock cospatial with the radio relic. The X-ray surface brightness profile across the shock region presents a discontinuity, corresponding to a density compression factor C=2.0± 0.1, leading to a Mach number M=1.7± 0.1 (M=1.4-2 including systematics). Temperatures measured in the upstream and downstream regions are consistent with what expected for such a shock: Tu=4.3+1.0-0.6 keV and Td=7.9+1.4-1.1 keV, respectively, implying a Mach number M=1.8+0.5-0.4. So far, only few other shocks discovered in galaxy clusters are consistently detected from both density and temperature jumps. The spatial coincidence between this discontinuity and the radio relic edge strongly supports the view that shocks play a crucial role in powering these synchrotron sources. We suggest that the relic is originated by shock re-acceleration of relativistic electrons rather than acceleration from the thermal pool. The position and curvature of the shock and the associated relic are consistent with an off-axis merger with unequal mass ratio where the shock is expected to bend around the core of the less massive cluster.
Volume
460
Issue
1
Start page
L84
Uri
Url
Issn Identifier
0035-8711
Ads BibCode
2016MNRAS.460L..84B
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open.access
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