Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2007-05-09
Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc.379:498-506,2007
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
9 pages, 9 figures, definitive version published by MNRAS
Scientific paper
10.1111/j.1365-2966.2007.11962.x
We report the discovery of an X-ray counterpart to the southern radio hotspot of the largest-known radio quasar 4C 74.26 (whose redshift is z=0.104). Both XMM-Newton and Chandra images reveal the same significant (10arcsec, i.e. 19kpc) offset between the X-ray hotspot and the radio hotspot imaged with MERLIN. The peak of the X-ray emission may be due to synchrotron or inverse-Compton emission. If synchrotron emission, the hotspot represents the site of particle acceleration and the offset arises from either the jet exhibiting Scheuer's `dentist's drill' effect or a fast spine having less momentum than the sheath surrounding it, which creates the radio hotspot. If the emission arises from the inverse-Compton process, it must be inverse-Compton scattering of the CMB in a decelerating relativistic flow, implying that the jet is relativistic (Gamma >= 2) out to a distance of at least 800kpc. Our analysis, including optical data from the Liverpool Telescope, rules out a background AGN for the X-ray emission and confirms its nature as a hotspot, making it the most X-ray luminous hotspot yet detected.
Ballantyne David R.
Blundell Katherine M.
Erlund M. C.
Fabian Andrea C.
Moss Calvin
No associations
LandOfFree
The luminous X-ray hotspot in 4C 74.26: synchrotron or inverse-Compton emission? 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 luminous X-ray hotspot in 4C 74.26: synchrotron or inverse-Compton emission?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The luminous X-ray hotspot in 4C 74.26: synchrotron or inverse-Compton emission? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-646278