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SUMMARY:Radio Relics: Unique probes of galaxy cluster mergers - Reinout va
 n Weeren (Leiden Observatory\, Netherlands)
DTSTART:20110809T153000Z
DTEND:20110809T163000Z
UID:TALK32221@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:David Titterington
DESCRIPTION:Radio relics are enormous Mpc-sized synchrotron emitting sourc
 es found in the outskirts of merging galaxy clusters.  It is thought that 
 these so-called relics trace cluster merger shock waves.  In this talk I w
 ill present the latest observational results in several unique new relics.
   The properties of these relics provide unprecendented insights into the 
 physical properties of extremely dilute cosmic plasmas\, magnetic fields\,
  and particle acceleration in shocks.  Together with simulations of cluste
 r mergers\, I will demonstrate how relics can be used to probe the intracl
 uster medium at large distances from the cluster centre and reconstruct th
 e mass ratio\, impact parameter and orientation\, of cluster merger events
 .  In addition\, I will present the first high angular resolution observat
 ion of several clusters below 50 MHz from the new LOFAR telescope.  LOFAR\
 , the Low Frequency Array\, is a pan-European radio telescope that is curr
 ently being commissioned.  With its enormous sensitivity at the lowest fre
 quencies it will be the breakthrough instrument for observations of diffus
 e radio emission in clusters.
LOCATION:Ryle Seminar Room\, Cavendish Laboratory
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