arXiv subjects

Gianfranco Brunetti

Publications and source records attributed to Gianfranco Brunetti.

80 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2003

Confirmation of non-thermal hard X-ray excess in the Coma cluster from two epoch observations

We report the hard X-ray spectrum of the Coma cluster obtained using the PDS data of two independent BeppoSAX observations performed with a time interval of about three years. In both the spectra a non thermal excess with respect to the thermal emission is present at a confidence level of ~ 3.4 sigma. The combined spectrum obtained by adding up the two spectra allows a measurement of the excess at the level of ~ 4.8 sigma at energies above 20 keV. The analysis of the full BeppoSAX data set provides a revised non-thermal X-ray flux which is slightly lower than that previously estimated (Fusco-Femiano et al. 1999) and in agreement with that measured by two RXTE observations. The analysis of the offset fields in our Coma observations provides a possible flux determination of the BL Lac object 1ES 1255+244.

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arXiv2003

Particle acceleration in cooling flow clusters of galaxies: the case of Abell 2626

It has recently been proposed a theoretical model which accounts for the origin of radio mini-halos observed in some cooling flow clusters as related to electron re-acceleration by MHD turbulence (Gitti, Brunetti & Setti 2002). The MHD turbulence is assumed to be frozen into the flow of the thermal ICM and thus amplified in the cooling flow region. Here we present the application of this model to a new mini-halo candidate, the cluster A2626, and compare the results with those obtained for the mini-halo in the Perseus cluster. We present VLA data at 330 MHz and 1.5 GHz of the diffuse radio emission observed in A2626, and we show that its main properties can be explained by the model. We find that the power necessary for the re-acceleration of the relic electron population is only a factor ~ 0.7% of the maximum power that can be extracted by the cooling flow (as estimated on the basis of the standard model). We also discuss the observational properties of known mini-halos in connection with those of host clusters, showing that the radio power of mini--halos increases with the maximum power of cooling flows. This trend is expected in the framework of the model. Possible effects of new Chandra and XMM-Newton estimates of $\dot{M}$ on this trend are considered: we conclude that even if earlier derived cooling rates were overestimated, cooling flow powers are still well above the radio powers emitted by mini-halos.

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arXiv2003

Cooling Flows and Radio Mini-Halos in Clusters of Galaxies

We apply to radio mini-halo candidates a model for electron re-acceleration in cooling flows (Gitti, Brunetti & Setti 2002). In agreement with the basic idea of the model, we find that the power required for the re-acceleration of the electron population is only a small fraction of the maximum power that can be extracted from the cooling flow (as estimated on the basis of the standard model). Observationally, we notice that the strongest radio mini-halos are found in association with the most powerful cooling flows, and that cooling flow powers are orders of magnitude larger than the integrated radio power. Possible effects of new Chandra and XMM-Newton estimates of $\dot{M}$ on this trend are considered: we conclude that even if earlier derived cooling rates were overestimated, cooling flow powers are still well above the radio powers emitted by mini-halos.

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arXiv2003

X-ray emission from GPS/CSS sources

The high spatial resolution of the Chandra X-ray Observatory allows us to study the environment of GPS/CSS sources to within an arcsec of the strong compact core. We present the discovery of X-ray jets in two GPS quasars, PKS1127-145 and B2 0738+393, indicating that X-ray emission associated with the relativistic plasma is present at large distances from the GPS nucleus. We also discuss first results from Chandra observations of our GPS/CSS sample. We find that 6 out of 10 sources show intrinsic absorption at a level which may be sufficient to confine the GPS source.

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arXiv2003

Chandra Discovery of an X-ray jet and Extended X-ray Structure in z=0.63 quasar, B2 0738+313

We have made a 30 ksec Chandra observation of the redshift z=0.63 GPS quasar B2 0738+313. We detected X-ray emission from the core and have discovered a 200 kpc (projected on the sky) X-ray jet. The X-ray jet is narrow and curves, following the extended radio structure to the south of the quasar, and ending with a hot spot at the southernmost part of the radio lobe. The jet has a knot at ~13 arcsec away from the core. The knot emission is consistent with the X-rays being created by the inverse Compton scattering of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) photons and requires jet bulk Lorentz factors of a few (Gamma_{bulk} ~ 5-7). We discuss the emission mechanisms that may be responsible for the jet emission. We present new VLA data of the core and jet, and discuss the relation between the extended radio and X-ray emission. Extended emission observed in several GPS sources has been interpreted as a signature of the source past activity, while the GPS source is young and newly expanded. We argue that B2~0738+313 may be an example of a new class of radio sources similar to the FRII radio galaxies in their high jet bulk velocities, but with the powerful GPS-like nucleus. B2 0738+313 also has two damped Lyman-alpha systems along the line of sight, at z_{abs} = 0.0912 and 0.2212. We discuss the possible connection between the X-ray absorption (7.2+/-0.9 e20 cm(-2)) detected in the ACIS spectrum and these two intervening absorbers. We also investigate an extended structure within the central 10 arcsec of the core in the relation to structure seen in the optical.

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arXiv2002

Particle Accelerators in the Hot Spots of the Radio Galaxy 3C445 Imaged With the VLT

Hot spots (HSs) are regions of enhanced radio emission produced by supersonic jets at the tip of the radio lobes of powerful radiosources. Obtained with the Very Large Telescope (VLT), images of the HSs in the radio galaxy 3C445 show bright knots embedded in diffuse optical emission distributed along the post shock region created by the impact of the jet into the intergalactic medium. The observations reported here confirm that relativistic electrons are accelerated by Fermi-I acceleration processes in HSs. Furthermore, both the diffuse emission tracing the rims of the front shock and the multiple knots demonstrate the presence of additional continuous re-acceleration processes of electrons (Fermi-II).

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arXiv2002

Non-thermal emission from extragalactic radio sources: a high resolution broad band (radio to X-rays) approach

In the framework of the study of extragalactic radio sources, we will focus on the importance of the spatial resolution at different wavelengths, and of the combination of observations at different frequency bands. In particular, a substantial step forward in this field is now provided by the new generation X-ray telescopes which are able to image radio sources in between 0.1--10 keV with a spatial resolution comparable with that of the radio telescopes (VLA) and of the optical telescopes. After a brief description of some basic aspects of acceleration mechanisms and of the radiative processes at work in the extragalactic radio sources, we will focus on a number of recent radio, optical and X-ray observations with arcsec resolution, and discuss the deriving constraints on the physics of these sources.

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arXiv2002

Modeling radio mini-halos in cooling flow clusters

We have developed a model in which the diffuse synchrotron emission from radio mini-halos, observed in some cooling flow clusters, is due to a relic population of relativistic electrons reaccelerated by MHD turbulence via Fermi-like processes. In this model the energetics is supplied by the cooling flow itself. Here, the model (successfully applied to the Perseus cluster, A426) is preliminarily applied to the possible mini-halo candidate A2626, for which we present VLA data.

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