TY  - THES
AU  - Simonte, Marco
TI  - Giant radio galaxies in the LOFAR deep fields: old and lonely?
PB  - University of Hamburg
VL  - Dissertation
M1  - PUBDB-2025-01297
SP  - 144
PY  - 2024
N1  - Dissertation, University of Hamburg, 2024
AB  - The study of radio galaxies (RGs) offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics between active galactic nuclei (AGN), host galaxies, and the surrounding medium. Among the diverse population of RGs, giant radio galaxies (GRGs) have a linear extent larger than 700 kpc and they are relatively rare compared to smaller RGs. Furthermore, the contributing factors to their exceptional size are still not very well known. In this doctoral thesis, I focus on unraveling the intricate interplay between different aspects, such as the properties of the host galaxy, the surrounding environment, the age of the radio source, and their collective role in shaping the size of GRGs. As a primary observational tool, I used the LOw-Frequency Array (LOFAR), which combines high sensitivity and angular resolution with a wide field of view and unique low-frequency capabilities.Throughout my doctoral studies, I constructed a complete sample of GRGs through a meticulous visual inspection of the LOFAR deep fields (Boo ̈tes, ELAIS-N1, and Lockman Hole), complemented by deep optical and infrared surveys for accurate host galaxy identification. The final sample counts about 1600 RGs of which 280 are GRGs. The sample containing smaller RGs was used as a control sample to compare the radio properties, the properties of the host galaxy and the environment between GRGs and smaller RGs. Host galaxy properties were found to be similar between GRGs and RGs, both hosting a central black hole undergoing radiatively inefficient accretion. Additionally, stellar masses of GRG and RG host galaxies exhibited similarities. Intriguingly, 41
LB  - PUB:(DE-HGF)11
DO  - DOI:10.3204/PUBDB-2025-01297
UR  - https://bib-pubdb1.desy.de/record/626093
ER  -