Speaker
Description
The Perseus cluster is a nearby, well-studied cool-core galaxy cluster, known to host a radio mini-halo. Recent LOFAR HBA observations have revealed a Mpc-scale giant radio halo, enveloping the mini-halo. The origin of this extended radio emission and the underlying particle (re-)acceleration mechanisms remain poorly understood. By exploring the spectral properties of the radio emission at very low frequencies, we aim to better understand the nature of this radio emission. In this talk, we will present LOFAR LBA images (resolution 17.7” x 15.0”, rms noise of 3.7 mJy/beam) of the Perseus cluster. These observations allow us to investigate whether the radio spectrum of the giant radio halo is consistent with turbulent re-acceleration models, which predict a steeper spectrum than that of the mini-halo. In addition, we study two X-ray ‘ghost cavities’ in the cluster, possibly produced by an older outburst from the central AGN (3C 84), and we discuss whether their radio spectra are consistent with aged AGN plasma. Finally, we present radio images of two tailed radio galaxies in the Perseus cluster (NGC 1265 and IC 310), and discuss the spectral properties along the tails.
