Diffuse Radio Sources in Clusters of Galaxies

Tara Murphy

Abstract:

We present a distant limited sample of 92 clusters of galaxies, observed with the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope (MOST). A search of these clusters has resulted in 14 candidate diffuse sources. To try and further characterize diffuse sources we carry out a statistical study of the cluster sample. We propose that there are two distinct types of diffuse sources, `relic' radio galaxies and diffuse sources caused by shock acceleration and/or cluster turbulence. We discuss models which explain the observed properties of these sources, and show that separating the diffuse sources into these distinct classes resolves some of the ambiguities in the models. As an example of the relationships between cluster environment and diffuse radio emission, we have carried out a detailed study of a particular cluster, A3266, observed earlier this year with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA).