Inverse Compton X-rays from the radio galaxy 3C 219
Bondi, M.; Brunetti, G.; Comastri, A.; Setti, G.; Dallacasa, D.; Pedani, M.
Italy, Spain
Abstract
We report the results from a Chandra observation of the powerful nearby (z= 0.1744) radio galaxy 3C 219. We find evidence for non-thermal X-ray emission from the radio lobes which fits fairly well with a combination of inverse Compton scattering of Cosmic Microwave Background radiation and of nuclear photons with the relativistic electrons in the lobes. The comparison between radio synchrotron and IC emission yields a magnetic field strength significantly lower (~3) than that calculated under minimum energy conditions; the source energetics is then dominated by the relativistic particles.