Galaxy gas ejection in radio galaxies: the case of 3C 35

Abstract

We report results from XMM–Newton and Chandra observations of the nearby (z = 0.067) giant radio galaxy 3C 35. We find evidence for an X-ray-emitting gas belt, orthogonal to and lying between the lobes of 3C 35, which we interpret as fossil-group gas driven outwards by the expanding radio lobes. We also detect weak emission from a second, more extended group-type environment, as well as inverse-Compton X-ray emission from the radio lobes. The morphological structure of the radio lobes and gas belt point to co-evolution. Furthermore, the radio source is powerful enough to eject galaxy-scale gas out to distances of 100 kpc, and the ages of the two features are comparable (tsynch ≈ 140 Myr, tbelt ≈ 80 Myr). The destruction of 3C 35's atmosphere may offer clues as to how fossil systems are regulated: radio galaxies need to be of power comparable to 3C 35 to displace and regulate fossil-group gas. We discuss the implications of the gas belt in 3C 35 in terms of active galactic nuclei fuelling and feedback.