Using the LOw-Frequency ARray (LOFAR) and MeerKAT telescope, astronomers have conducted radio observations of a galaxy cluster known as Abell 1413. The cluster, located approximately 2.1 billion light years away, is a type I galaxy cluster containing about 300 galaxies and hosting a mini-halo.

The researchers aimed to study the morphology and properties of Abell 1413 in greater detail. They utilized deep MeerKAT observations and LOFAR high-band antenna (HBA) observations to collect data. Their observations detected many compact radio sources and tailed radio galaxies near Abell 1413, as well as faint and highly-extended radio emission from the cluster’s mini-halo.

Based on the collected data, the researchers found that the mini-halo of Abell 1413 is asymmetric and twice as large as previously thought. They also observed a spatially-resolved spectral index profile of the mini-halo, indicating a slightly flatter spectrum in the inner region and a steeper spectrum in the outer regions. The study revealed a strong correlation between the radio/X-ray surface brightness of Abell 1413, further supporting the spectral steepening.

In their research, the authors proposed a theoretical model to explain the mechanism powering the mini-halo in Abell 1413. They suggest that hybrid models, involving re-acceleration of secondary electrons by turbulence, can naturally reproduce the observed correlation slope.

These findings provide valuable insights into the nature and properties of Abell 1413 and contribute to the understanding of galaxy clusters and their evolutionary processes.

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