Spectral and morphological signatures of cluster merger shocks: CIZA J2242.8+5301

Abstract

The CIZA J2242.8+5301 cluster hosts an extraordinary, narrow, Mpc-wide, diffuse patch of radio emission tracing travelling shock waves, called a relic. We perform a multi-wavelength of observations of the cluster. We discover radio spectral steepening and increasing spectral curvature in the shock downstream area, indicative of emission produced by spectrally-aged electrons, following a JP ageing model. The curved integrated spectrum towards $16$ GHz challenges the favoured relic formation model. Further, we find a boosting the number density of H$α$ emitters by a factor of $10$, possibly caused by interactions of the galaxies with the shock wave.

4 pages, 2 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the conference `The Metre Wavelength Sky: Celebrating 50 years of Radio Astronomy at TIFR'