The evolution of 3C 306 in the galaxy cluster RXCJ1454.4+1622: linking spectral ageing, ICM conditions, and jet dynamics through MHD simulations
4 affiliations
- 1Núcleo de Astrofísica, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo , R. Galvão Bueno 868, Liberdade, São Paulo, SP 01506-000 ,
- 2Centro Universitário Adventista de São Paulo, Rua Pr. Hugo Gegembauer , 265, 13184-010 Hortolândia, SP ,
- 3Instituto de Radioastronomía y Astrofísica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Morelia 58341 ,
- 4Black Hole Initiative at Harvard University , 20 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 ,
Abstract
We present a methodology for analysing radio sources in galaxy clusters by combining multi-frequency radio observations, X-ray analysis of the intracluster medium (ICM), and three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations, and apply it to the galaxy cluster RXCJ1454.4+1622 and its associated FR II radio galaxy 3C 306 (IC 4516). The radio emission exhibits a curved structure connecting the lobes, likely indicating a complex dynamical evolution influenced by environmental effects. Spectral index and break-frequency maps reveal a relatively homogeneous radiative ageing distribution, with characteristic spectral ages of ∼ 220 Myr and a smooth spatial gradient. From equipartition arguments, we estimate an equivalent jet magnetic field of 2.1 ± 0.3 μG, consistent with values observed in FR II radio galaxies. These observational constraints are used to initialize non-relativistic MHD simulations exploring three scenarios: jet precession, bulk motion of the source through the ICM, and a combined model including both effects. Neither pure precession nor pure source motion alone fully reproduces the observed morphology, whereas the combined model provides a more consistent representation of the jet curvature and lobe asymmetries. Nevertheless, the simulations indicate that source motion is the dominant mechanism shaping the large-scale radio morphology, with jet precession playing a secondary role. The inferred source velocity (∼ 280 km s−1) and precession time-scale (∼ 250 Myr) are compatible with the spectral ageing constraints. These results suggest that the morphology of 3C 306 is influenced by the interplay between jet precession and dynamical interaction with the ICM, highlighting the role of environmental effects in radio-galaxy evolution in clusters.
Versions
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BibTeX
@article{antas2026evolution,
title = {{The evolution of 3C 306 in the galaxy cluster RXCJ1454.4+1622: linking spectral ageing, ICM conditions, and jet dynamics through MHD simulations}},
author = {A S R Antas and A Caproni and L Loinard and G S Souza and T F Laganá},
journal = {Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/mnras/stag1880},
url = {https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/doi/10.1093/mnras/stag1880/8865326},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The evolution of 3C 306 in the galaxy cluster RXCJ1454.4+1622: linking spectral ageing, ICM conditions, and jet dynamics through MHD simulations
AU - A S R Antas
AU - A Caproni
AU - L Loinard
AU - G S Souza
AU - T F Laganá
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/05
JO - Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
DO - 10.1093/mnras/stag1880
UR - https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/doi/10.1093/mnras/stag1880/8865326
AB - We present a methodology for analysing radio sources in galaxy clusters by combining multi-frequency radio observations, X-ray analysis of the intracluster medium (ICM), and three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations, and apply it to the galaxy cluster RXCJ1454.4+1622 and its associated FR II radio galaxy 3C 306 (IC 4516). The radio emission exhibits a curved structure connecting the lobes, likely indicating a complex dynamical evolution influenced by environmental effects. Spectral index and break-frequency maps reveal a relatively homogeneous radiative ageing distribution, with characteristic spectral ages of ∼ 220 Myr and a smooth spatial gradient. From equipartition arguments, we estimate an equivalent jet magnetic field of 2.1 ± 0.3 μG, consistent with values observed in FR II radio galaxies. These observational constraints are used to initialize non-relativistic MHD simulations exploring three scenarios: jet precession, bulk motion of the source through the ICM, and a combined model including both effects. Neither pure precession nor pure source motion alone fully reproduces the observed morphology, whereas the combined model provides a more consistent representation of the jet curvature and lobe asymmetries. Nevertheless, the simulations indicate that source motion is the dominant mechanism shaping the large-scale radio morphology, with jet precession playing a secondary role. The inferred source velocity (∼ 280 km s^−1) and precession time-scale (∼ 250 Myr) are compatible with the spectral ageing constraints. These results suggest that the morphology of 3C 306 is influenced by the interplay between jet precession and dynamical interaction with the ICM, highlighting the role of environmental effects in radio-galaxy evolution in clusters.
SN - 0035-8711
SN - 1365-2966
ER -