Hard X-ray emission from the galaxy cluster A2256

After the positive detection by BeppoSAX of hard X-ray radiation up to simi lar to 80 keV in the Coma Cluster spectrum, we present evidence for nonther mal emission from A2256 in excess of thermal emission at a 4.6 sigma confid ence level. In addition to this power-law component, a second nonthermal co mponent already detected by ASCA could be present in the X-ray spectrum of the cluster, which is not surprising given the complex radio morphology of the cluster central region. The spectral index of the hard tail detected by the Phoswich Detection System on board BeppoSAX is marginally consistent w ith that expected for the inverse Compton model. A value of similar to 0.05 mu G is derived for the intracluster magnetic field of the extended radio emission in the northern regions of the cluster, while a higher value of si milar to 0.5 mu G could be present in the central radio halo, which is like ly related to the hard tail detected by ASCA.