Pulsars, transients and relativistic astrophysics

Abstract:

The galaxy cluster Abell 2256 is in the violent stage of a giant cluster merger event. Evidence of this merger is seen in the X-ray substructure of ROSAT images (Briel et al. 1991). Radio images reveal the complex nature of this cluster: a synchrotron halo, several head-tail radio galaxies, and two extended irregular and sharp-edged regions of diffuse radio emission - so called radio relics (Fig. 1). The relics are believed to be powered by the energy input of the merger shock into an old (relic) relativistic electron population. This theory is supported by the observed radio polarization properties of the relics which closely match the polarization predicted by Ensslin et al. (1998) to result from synchrotron emission in shock-compressed magnetic fields. We report on an on-going project designed to obtain detailed Faraday rotation measure maps of these radio relics. The differential "Faraday screen" effect over extended radio sources allows us to study the magnetic field distribution inside these sources and in the foreground Faraday rotating medium.

Abstract:

Both a semi-analytic treatment and Monte-Carlo simulations of the problem of test particle acceleration at an ultra-relativistic shock predict a power-law spectrum of index d ln f/d ln p approximate to -4.2, where f is the phase space density and p the particle momentum. A brief review is given of this result, together with a discussion of its robustness and relevance to observations.

Abstract:

We briefly review the inverse-Compton (IC) scattering of nuclear photons in the lobes of radio galaxies and quasars. We concentrate on the possibility of testing this model with the Chandra observatory and of constraining the electron energy distribution by measuring the Xray fluxes produced by this effect. We also discuss the evidence for IC scattering of nuclear photons in powerful radio galaxies.

Abstract:

A new model for the so called cluster radio relics is presented (see Ensslin & Gopal-Krishna 2001 for more details). Fossil radio cocoons, resulting from the former activity of radio galaxies, should contain a low energy relativistic electron population and magnetic fields. Even electrons with ages as high as 2 Gyr can be re-accelerated adiabatically to radio- emitting energies, if the fossil radio plasma gets compressed in an environmental shock wave. Such a wave can be caused by merging events in galaxy clusters, or by accretion onto clusters. An implication of this model is the existence of a population of diffuse, ultra-steep spectrum, very low-frequency radio sources located inside and possibly outside of clusters of galaxies, tracing the revival of aged fossil radio plasma by the shock waves associated with large-scale structure formation.

Abstract:

Multi-frequency radio observations of a powerful classical double radio galaxies can be used to determine the beam power of the jets emanating from the AGN, the total time the source will actively produce jets, and the total energy available to power the jets during their lifetime. Empirical determinations of these quantities are presented for 20 classical double radio galaxies. The model assumptions, trends with redshift, and implications for energy extracted from central engines are discussed.