Astronomers discover unique radio galaxy J0011+3217
Astronomers using the LOFAR low-frequency antenna array have discovered a new radio galaxy, J0011+3217, with unique characteristics. This galaxy, found in the second release of data from LoTSS DR2 at a frequency of 144 MHz, has an extremely rare one-sided secondary lobe.
Radio galaxies and their features
Radio galaxies emit a huge amount of radio waves from their central cores. Their black holes absorb gas and dust, creating high-speed jets visible in the radio spectrum. These jets accelerate charged particles to high speeds.
Although a radio galaxy can exist for up to 100 million years, with features such as a core, lobes, jets, and hotspots, when the active galactic nucleus switches off, the galaxy transitions into a remnant or dying phase, and these characteristics typically disappear.
Discovery of J0011+3217
The galaxy J0011+3217, discovered by a team led by Shobhi Kumari from the College of Midnapore in India, has been identified as a giant radio galaxy with a one-sided secondary lobe and displaced giant primary lobes. It is also associated with the galactic cluster Abell 7.
