University of Hertfordshire Research Archive

        JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

        Browse

        All of UHRABy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitles

        Arkivum Files

        My Downloads
        View Item 
        • UHRA Home
        • University of Hertfordshire
        • Research publications
        • View Item
        • UHRA Home
        • University of Hertfordshire
        • Research publications
        • View Item

        A 100 kpc inverse Compton x-ray halo around 4C 60.07 at z = 3.79

        Author
        Smail, I.
        Lehmer, B.D.
        Ivison, R.J.
        Alexander, D.M.
        Bower, R.
        Stevens, J. A.
        Geach, James
        Scharf, C.
        Coppin, Kristen
        van Breugel, W.
        Attention
        2299/3829
        Abstract
        We analyze a 100 ks Chandra observation of the powerful radio galaxy, 4C 60.07 at z = 3.79. We identify extended X-ray emission with L X ~ 1045 erg s–1 across a ~90 kpc region around the radio galaxy. The energetics of this X-ray halo and its morphological similarity to the radio emission from the galaxy suggest that it arises from inverse Compton (IC) scattering, by relativistic electrons in the radio jets, of cosmic microwave background photons and potentially far-infrared photons from the dusty starbursts around this galaxy. The X-ray emission has a similar extent and morphology to the Lyα halo around the galaxy, suggesting that it may be ionizing this halo. Indeed, we find that the GHz-radio and X-ray and Lyα luminosities of the halo around 4C 60.07 are identical to those of 4C 41.17 (also at z = 3.8) implying that these three components are linked by a single physical process. This is only the second example of highly extended IC emission known at z>3, but it underlines the potential importance of IC emission in the formation of the most massive galaxies at high redshifts. In addition, we detect two X-ray luminous active galactic nuclei (AGNs) within ~30 kpc of the radio galaxy. These two companion AGNs imply that the radio and starburst activity in the radio galaxy is triggered through multiple mergers of massive progenitors on a short timescale, 100 Myr. These discoveries demonstrate the wealth of information which sensitive X-ray observations can yield into the formation of massive galaxies at high redshifts.
        Publication date
        2009
        Published in
        The Astrophysical Journal
        Published version
        https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/702/2/L114
        Other links
        http://hdl.handle.net/2299/3829
        Metadata
        Show full item record
        Keep in touch

        © 2019 University of Hertfordshire

        I want to...

        • Apply for a course
        • Download a Prospectus
        • Find a job at the University
        • Make a complaint
        • Contact the Press Office

        Go to...

        • Accommodation booking
        • Your student record
        • Bayfordbury
        • KASPAR
        • UH Arts

        The small print

        • Terms of use
        • Privacy and cookies
        • Criminal Finances Act 2017
        • Modern Slavery Act 2015
        • Sitemap

        Find/Contact us

        • T: +44 (0)1707 284000
        • E: ask@herts.ac.uk
        • Where to find us
        • Parking
        • hr
        • qaa
        • stonewall
        • AMBA
        • ECU Race Charter
        • disability confident
        • AthenaSwan