Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
1997-06-27
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
to be published in MNRAS. 12 pages, uses mn.sty. Replacement corrects for error in postscript (fig. 1)
Scientific paper
The less depolarized lobe of a radio source is generally the lobe containing the jet (Laing-Garrington correlation) but the less depolarized lobe is also generally that with the flatter radio spectrum (Liu-Pooley correlation). Both effects are strong; taken together they would imply a correlation between jet side and lobe spectral index, i.e. between an orientation-dependent feature and one which is intrinsic. We test this prediction using detailed spectral imaging of a sample of quasars with well-defined jets and investigate whether the result can be reconciled with the standard interpretation of one-sided jets in terms of relativistic aberration. Our central finding is that the spectrum of high surface brightness regions is indeed flatter on the jet side, but that the spectrum of low surface brightness regions is flatter on the side with the longer lobe. We discuss possible causes for these correlations and favour explanations in terms of relativistic bulk motion in the high surface brightness regions and differential synchrotron ageing in the extended lobe material.
Bridle Alan H.
Dennett-Thorpe Jane
Laing Robert A.
Leahy Patrick J.
Scheuer P. A. G.
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