Galaxy clusters and cosmic web filaments are the largest structures in the Universe, forming vast networks that span hundreds of millions of light-years. These structures grow over time as smaller clusters and groups of galaxies merge, generating shock waves and turbulence that heat the hot plasma within them. In these magnetized plasmas, particles called cosmic rays are accelerated to extreme energies, creating diffuse radio emission that can be detected over immense scales.
However, how these cosmic rays are accelerated remains a mystery. Understanding this process is important for unraveling how energy is distributed across the Universe’s largest structures. It also provides insight into fundamental physical processes that could help us understand high-energy phenomena across the cosmos.
This project aims to systematically study these diffuse radio sources to learn how their properties depend on factors such as the mass of their host clusters. It also seeks to explore the lower-density regions outside clusters, where shocks are present and could potentially accelerate particles. By creating ultra-deep, low-frequency radio images, the project will attempt to detect this emission and uncover the mechanisms behind particle acceleration in these environments.
Additionally, supermassive black holes located at the centers of galaxy clusters play a crucial role in regulating the temperature of the surrounding plasma. By releasing powerful jets and outbursts, these black holes can heat the gas, preventing it from cooling too rapidly. Understanding how this process has evolved over the lifetime of clusters is essential for building accurate models of galaxy cluster formation and evolution.
The project uses state-of-the-art radio telescopes, particularly LOFAR, a cutting-edge, pan-European radio telescope designed to achieve exceptional sensitivity, survey speed, and resolution at low frequencies. LOFAR combines signals from thousands of small, low-cost antennas spread across Europe to emulate a giant telescope, allowing it to study clusters with unprecedented detail. By complementing LOFAR observations with data from space telescopes like Chandra, XMM, and Planck, the project aims to make significant progress in understanding the origins of cosmic rays, magnetic fields, and the impact of supermassive black holes on their environments.
