The Origin of X-shaped Radio Galaxies: Clues from the Z-symmetric Secondary Lobes

Details The Origin of X-shaped Radio Galaxies: Clues from the Z-symmetric Secondary Lobes The Origin of X-shaped Radio Galaxies: Clues from the Z-symmetric Secondary Lobes

2003-08-05

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0308059v1

Astrophys.J.594:L103,2003

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

12 pages, 1 compressed figure; accepted for publication in ApJ Letters

Scientific paper

10.1086/378766

Existing radio images of a few X-shaped radio galaxies reveal Z-symmetric morphologies in their weaker secondary lobes which cannot be naturally explained by either the galactic merger or radio-lobe backflow scenarios, the two dominant models for these X-shaped radio sources. We show that the merger picture can explain these morphologies provided one takes into account that, prior to the coalescence of their supermassive black holes, the smaller galaxy releases significant amounts of gas into the ISM of the dominant active galaxy. This rotating gas, whose angular momentum axis will typically not be aligned with the original jets, is likely to provide sufficient ram pressure at a distance ~10 kpc from the nucleus to bend the extant jets emerging from the central engine, thus producing a Z-symmetry in the pair of radio lobes. Once the two black holes have coalesced some 10^7 yr later, a rapid reorientation of the jets along a direction close to that of the orbital angular momentum of the swallowed galaxy relative to the primary galaxy would create the younger primary lobes of the X-shaped radio galaxy. This picture naturally explains why such sources typically have powers close to the FR I/II break. We suggest that purely Z-symmetric radio sources are often en route to coalescence and the concomitant emission of substantial gravitational radiation, while X-shaped ones have already merged and radiated.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Origin of X-shaped Radio Galaxies: Clues from the Z-symmetric Secondary Lobes does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The Origin of X-shaped Radio Galaxies: Clues from the Z-symmetric Secondary Lobes, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Origin of X-shaped Radio Galaxies: Clues from the Z-symmetric Secondary Lobes will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-572077