MeerKAT’s view of double radio relic galaxy cluster Abell 3376

Abstract

Abstract We present the initial results of our MeerKAT L-band observations of Abell 3376. We achieved higher (5″) angular resolution and better (∼4 μ Jy beam−1) sensitivity compared to the previous observations. Our achieved sensitivity is only a factor of 2 larger than the thermal noise of MeerKAT. Astrometric and flux comparison of discrete compact sources in the field between MeerKAT and the Very Large Array (VLA) indicated that our calibration procedures were successful. We detected West and East relics, and radio galaxies, which have been observed in previous works. With minimal missing flux problem in our MeerKAT observations, we derived the spectral indices of the West relic (−1.22 ± 0.05), East relic (−1.33 ± 0.08) and central radio galaxies (−0.94 ± 0.05). The improved images revealed faint, extending radio arcs for relics, and connection between the East relic and radio galaxies. It is probable that (at least some of) the re-accelerated electrons of the East relic are supplied by the jets of the radio galaxies. No significant diffuse radio emission was found in cluster central part, supporting previous works with a much better upper limit of radio flux of <1.8 × 1023 W Hz−1.