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

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.

To appear: Proceedings of the conference "Non-thermal phenomena in colliding galaxy clusters" (Nice, 15-18 November 2010), Memorie della Societa Astronomica Italiana