Jets from MRC 0600-399 bent by magnetic fields in the cluster Abell 3376

James O. Chibueze (), Haruka Sakemi (), Takumi Ohmura (), Mami Machida, Hiroki Akamatsu, Takuya Akahori, Hiroyuki Nakanishi, Viral Parekh, Ruby Rooyen and Tsutomu T. Takeuchi
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James O. Chibueze: North-West University
Haruka Sakemi: Kyushu University
Takumi Ohmura: Kyushu University
Mami Machida: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
Hiroki Akamatsu: SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research
Takuya Akahori: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
Hiroyuki Nakanishi: Kagoshima University
Viral Parekh: South African Radio Astronomy Observatory
Ruby Rooyen: South African Radio Astronomy Observatory
Tsutomu T. Takeuchi: Nagoya University

Nature, 2021, vol. 593, issue 7857, 47-50

Abstract: Abstract Galaxy clusters are known to harbour magnetic fields, the nature of which remains unresolved. Intra-cluster magnetic fields can be observed at the density contact discontinuity formed by cool and dense plasma running into hot ambient plasma1,2, and the discontinuity exists3 near the second-brightest galaxy4, MRC 0600-399, in the merging galaxy cluster Abell 3376 (redshift 0.0461). Elongated X-ray emission in the east–west direction shows a comet-like structure that reaches the megaparsec scale5. Previous radio observations6,7 detected the bent jets from MRC 0600-399, moving in same direction as the sub-cluster, against ram pressure. Here we report radio8,9 observations of MRC 0600-399 that have 3.4 and 11 times higher resolution and sensitivity, respectively, than the previous results6. In contrast to typical jets10,11, MRC 0600-399 shows a 90-degree bend at the contact discontinuity, and the collimated jets extend over 100 kiloparsecs from the point of the bend. We see diffuse, elongated emission that we name ‘double-scythe’ structures. The spectral index flattens downstream of the bend point, indicating cosmic-ray reacceleration. High-resolution numerical simulations reveal that the ordered magnetic field along the discontinuity has an important role in the change of jet direction. The morphology of the double-scythe jets is consistent with the simulations. Our results provide insights into the effect of magnetic fields on the evolution of the member galaxies and intra-cluster medium of galaxy clusters.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03434-1

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