Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2007-09-27
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
18 pages, 21 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal
Scientific paper
10.1086/523960
The barred galaxy NGC 7479 hosts a remarkable jet-like radio continuum feature: bright, 12-kpc long in projection, and hosting an aligned magnetic field. The degree of polarization is 6%-8% along the jet, and remarkably constant, which is consistent with helical field models. The radio brightness of the jet suggests strong interaction with the ISM and hence a location near the disk plane. We observed NGC 7479 at four wavelengths with the VLA and Effelsberg radio telescopes. The equipartition strength is 35-40 micro-G for the total and >10 micro-G for the ordered magnetic field in the jet. The jet acts as a bright, polarized background. Faraday rotation between 3.5 and 6 cm and depolarization between 6 and 22 cm can be explained by magneto-ionic gas in front of the jet, with thermal electron densities of ~0.06 cm**(-3) in the bar and ~0.03 cm**(-3) outside the bar. The regular magnetic field along the bar points toward the nucleus on both sides. The regular field in the disk reveals multiple reversals, probably consisting of field loops stretched by a shearing gas flow in the bar. The projection of the jet bending in the sky plane is in the sense opposite to that of the underlying stellar and gaseous spiral structure. The bending in 3-D is most easily explained as a precessing jet, with an age less than 10**6 years. Our observations are consistent with very recent triggering, possibly by a minor merger. NGC 7479 provides a unique opportunity to study interaction-triggered 15-kpc scale radio jets within a spiral galaxy.
Beck Rainer
Laine Seppo
No associations
LandOfFree
Radio Continuum Jet in NGC 7479 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 Radio Continuum Jet in NGC 7479, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Radio Continuum Jet in NGC 7479 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-482467