Physics
Scientific paper
Apr 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009sptz.prop60132m&link_type=abstract
Spitzer Proposal ID #60132
Physics
Scientific paper
Centaurus A is the closest radio-bright active galaxy, and provides a detailed view of the physics of radio sources and their interaction with the surrounding interstellar and intergalactic gas. In our recent X-ray based work on Centaurus A we have found two surprising new results: that the shock feature around the inner SW radio lobe is a synchrotron rather than thermal gas structure; and that the northern jet generates X-ray bright knots of thermal emission as it enters the northern middle lobe. In these knots we see some evidence for associated star clusters. These unexpected discoveries have important implications for source physics. The broad-band energy output of the X-ray shock traces the population of relativistic particles and hence acceleration physics at the shock. The knots are evidence of interaction of radio jets with interstellar gas, and the subsequent injection of thermal matter into radio lobes. Here we propose a single AOR that will make 1-hour exposures of the shock feature and the X-ray bright knots in each band. This will constrain the spectral energy distribution of the shock, and measure the IR properties of the dissipating gas clouds and embedded stars in the X-ray knots, comparing the properties of these clouds with HI clouds which appear not yet to have interacted with the jet.
Ashby Matt
Birkinshaw Mark
Croston Judith
Hunstead Dick
Kraft Ralph
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