Gas thermodynamics and kinematics, magnetic fields and relativistic particles in clusters of galaxies and in the cosmic web
As a result of violent processes following their evolution, galaxy clusters and large scale structures in general contain a significant fraction of nonthermal energy, in the form of magnetic fields, relativistic particles and turbulent plasma motions. Radio observations of diffuse emission (e.g. “halos”, “relics” and “mini-halos” sources) in galaxy clusters is vital to constrain the acceleration mechanisms of relativistic particles during accretion phenomena, as well as the origin of extragalactic magnetic fields, which is still a mystery. In addition to matter accretions, the “radio-mode” feedback from AGN, associated to the complex interplay between hot intra-cluster medium and cold molecular gas in galaxies, is widespread and has a broad impact from the formation of galaxies to the regulation of cool cores, and may spread relativistic particles and magnetic fields on cluster-scale.
Our team is deeply involved in both the observational and theoretical work necessary to study the elusive non-thermal radio signal from evolving cosmic structures, both by conducting new observations of cosmic structures at radio wavelengths (e.g. with JVLA, LOFAR, GMRT etc..), complemented by multi-frequency observations (from X-rays with CHANDRA and XMM to sub-mm wavelenghts using ALMA), as well as by preparing for the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) and investigating the origin of extragalactic magnetic fields with advanced cosmological simulations (see here).
DIFA staff members
Annalisa Bonafede
Associate Professor
Fabrizio Brighenti
Associate Professor
Virginia Cuciti
Junior assistant professor (fixed-term)
Daniele Dallacasa
Associate Professor
Gabriele Giovannini
Alma Mater Professor
Myriam Gitti
Associate Professor
Carlo Nipoti
Associate Professor
Franco Vazza
Associate Professor
DIFA post-doc and PhD students
Marco Balboni
Research fellow
Tommaso Bartalesi
PhD Student
Salome Mtchedlidze
Research fellow
Annalisa Pagliotta
PhD Student
Anton Rudakovskyi
Research fellow
Stefano Sotira
PhD Student
Maksym Tsizh
Research fellow
Main Collaborations
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Radio Astronomy Institute (IRA) of INAF
Main Collaborators: G. Brunetti, E. Carretti, T. Venturi, R. Cassano, A. Botteon, F. Degasperin, C. Stuardi, M. Brienza, G. Di Gennaro, T. Pasini, C. Gheller, K. Nishiwaki
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Astrophysics and Space Science Observatory (OAS) of INAF
Main collaborators: S. Ettori, F. Finelli, D. Paoletti, M. Sereno, M. Roncarelli, C. Giocoli
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Astronomical Observatory, University of Hamburg
Main collaborators: M. Brueggen, G. Lusetti, V. Heesen