Unveiling the nonthermal environments of NGC,3411 and NGC,5903 through new MeerKAT observations

Galaxy groups are key laboratories for investigating the interplay between active galactic nucleus (AGN) outbursts and the dynamical processes of the intra-group medium. We aim to characterize the morphology, spectral properties, and magnetic field structure of the diffuse nonthermal radio emission in two peculiar galaxy groups, NGC,3411 and NGC,5903, selected from an originally larger sample, in order to constrain its origin and its connection with the dynamics of the intra-group medium. We present new MeerKAT UHF- and L-band observations of the two groups, complemented by archival and data already analyzed in previous works. Chandra XMM-Newton In NGC,3411, we detect extended radio emission surrounding the central AGN over scales of sim70 kpc, and resolve previously undetected arc-shaped substructures on scales of sim20--30 kpc. This extended component exhibits a relatively uniform steep spectrum (α ≃ -1.7). We discuss possible scenarios for its origin, including mini-halos, aged AGN plasma, weak shocks, and the possibility of a radio galaxy observed along the line of sight. In NGC,5903, MeerKAT reveals a complex filamentary morphology, including a previously unknown ring-like structure surrounding the central AGN. Spectral-index mapping shows localized flattening (α ≃ -0.9) along the north arc, while polarization data reveal ordered magnetic fields and a patchy rotation measure distribution across the source. Together with the disturbed X-ray morphology, these results support a scenario in which fossil AGN plasma has been redistributed and locally reenergized by group-scale dynamical processes such as turbulence, shear, and weak compression. Our results demonstrate that galaxy groups can host a rich variety of nonthermal phenomena, whose properties can only be fully revealed through the combination of sensitive, high-resolution, and multifrequency radio observations.