A
massive colliding galaxy cluster makes a surprise appearance in the long
wavelength radio spectrum, as opposed to the usual shorter wavelength spectrums
for these objects. The image of the radio emissions was taken by the Chandra
X-ray Observatory.
The
discovery of this giant cluster, known as Abell 521, suggests that existing
radio telescopes have missed many such colliding objects by focusing on the
shorter wavelengths. Red represents radio emissions taken at the longest
wavelength of 125 cm, while blue indicates the X-rays seen in many galaxy clusters.
Such
X-ray emissions come from hot thermal gas that resulted from the recent violent
collision between two galaxy clusters. The elongated shape of the massive
cluster also hints at this recent trauma.
— NRL and SPACE.com Staff
Credit: NASA/NCRA/GMRT/CXC/INAF/G.Brunetti
et al./S.Giacintucci et al
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