MeerKAT

Abstract:

Using a Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) L-band (1-2 GHz) survey covering∼100 deg^2 of the Stripe 82 field, we have obtained a catalogue of 2716 radio AGNs. For these AGNs, we investigate the impact of galaxy density on 1.4 GHz radio luminosity (L1.4).We determine their close environment densities using the surface density parameter, ΣN, for N = 2 and N = 5, which we bin by redshift to obtain a pseudo-3D galaxy density measure. Matching the radio AGNs to sources without radio detections in terms of redshift, K-band magnitude and (g−K) colour index, we obtain samples of control galaxies and determine whether radio AGN environments differ from this general population. Our results indicate that the environmental density of radio AGNs and their radio luminosity are not correlated up to z ∼ 0.8, over the luminosity range 10^23 < (L1.4/W Hz−1) < 10^26.We also find that, when using a control sample matched in terms of redshift, K-band magnitude and colour, environments of radio AGNs are similar to those of the control sample but with an excess of overdense regions in which radio AGNs aremore prevalent. Our results suggest that the <1Mpc-scale galaxy environment plays some role in determining whether a galaxy produces a radio AGN. The jet power, however, does not correlate with environment. From this, we infer that secular processes, e.g. accretion flows of cold gas to the central black hole are more critical in fuelling radio AGN activity than radio jet power.

Abstract:

The origin of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) has been an open question for decades. Here, we use a combination of hydrodynamic simulations and general physical arguments to demonstrate that UHECRs can in principle be produced by diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) in shocks in the backflowing material of radio galaxy lobes. These shocks occur after the jet material has passed through the relativistic termination shock. Recently, several authors have demonstrated that highly relativistic shocks are not effective in accelerating UHECRs. The shocks in our proposed model have a range of non-relativistic or mildly relativistic shock velocities more conducive to UHECR acceleration, with shock sizes in the range 1 − 10 kpc. Approximately 10% of the jet’s energy flux is focused through a shock in the backflow of M > 3. Although the shock velocities can be low enough that acceleration to high energy via DSA is still efficient, they are also high enough for the Hillas energy to approach 1019−20 eV, particularly for heavier CR composition and in cases where fluid elements pass through multiple shocks. We discuss some of the more general considerations for acceleration of particles to ultra-high energy with reference to giant-lobed radio galaxies such as Centaurus A and Fornax A, a class of sources which may be responsible for the observed anisotropies from UHECR observatories.