AGN feedback in groups of galaxies: a joint X‐ray/low‐frequency radio study

Abstract

We present an ongoing, low‐frequency radio/X‐ray study of 18 nearby galaxy groups, chosen for the evidence, either in the X‐ray or radio images, of AGN/intragroup gas interaction. We have obtained radio observations at 235 MHz and 610 MHz with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) for all the groups, and 327 MHz and 150 MHz for a few. We present results of the recent Chandra/GMRT study of the interesting case of AWM 4, a relaxed poor cluster of galaxies with no evidence of a large cool core and no X‐ray cavities associated with the central radio galaxy. Our analysis shows how joining low‐frequency radio data (to track the history of AGN outbursts) with X‐ray data (to determine the state of the hot gas, its disturbances, heating and cooling) can provide a unique insight into the nature of the feedback mechanism in galaxy groups.