HST / Chandra Monitoring of a Dramatic Flare in the M87 Jet

Details HST / Chandra Monitoring of a Dramatic Flare in the M87 Jet HST / Chandra Monitoring of a Dramatic Flare in the M87 Jet

Jul 2005

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005hst..prop10617b&link_type=abstract

HST Proposal ID #10617

Computer Science

Hst Proposal Id #10617 Agn/Quasars

Scientific paper

As the nearest galaxy with an optical jet, M87 affords an unparalleled opportunity to study extragalactic jet phenomena at the highest resolution. During 2002, HST and Chandra monitoring of the M87 jet detected a dramatic flare in knot HST-1 located 1" from the nucleus. As of late 2004 its brightness has increased fifty-fold in the optical band, and continues to increase sharply; the X-rays show a similarly dramatic outburst. In both bands HST-1 now greatly exceeds the nucleus in brightness. To our knowledge this is the first incidence of an optical or X-ray outburst from a jet region which is spatially distinct from the core source - this presents an unprecedented opportunity to study the processes responsible for non-thermal variability and the X-ray emission. We propose seven epochs of HST/STIS monitoring during Cycle 14, as well as seven epochs of Chandra/ACIS observation {5ksec each}. We also include a brief HRC/ACS observations that will be used to gather spectral information and map the magnetic field structure. The results of this investigation are of key importance not only for understanding the nature of the X-ray emission of the M87 jet, but also for understanding flares in blazar jets, which are highly variable, but where we have never before been able to resolve the flaring region in the optical or X-rays. These observations will allow us to test synchrotron emission models for the X-ray outburst, constrain particle acceleration and loss timescales, and study the jet dynamics associated with this flaring component.

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