Radio Spectral Energy Distributions of Remnant Radio Galaxies

Project Description:

Radio galaxies, a subclass of active galaxies, exhibit bipolar collimated outflowing jets that form lobes via interaction with the intergalactic medium. The cessation of active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity in radio galaxies leads them into remnant phase. Remnant radio galaxies (RRGs) are believed to be rare objects as they can be observed over a relatively short period of time before the radio lobes, with no supply of fresh plasma, completely fade away due to radiative and dynamical energy losses. Furthermore, the timescales of remnant phase and AGN duty cycle are vital to understanding the evolution of radio galaxies. Therefore, the candidate will have to estimate the spectral ages of RRGs by modelling their radio spectral energy distributions (SEDs) using spectral ageing models in BRATS software. This project will also highlight the importance of deep and sensitive low-frequency radio data in the search and identification of RRGs.

Research Area:

Astronomy

Project Level:

Honours

This Project Is Offered At The Following Node(s):

(UCT)