Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Oct 1993
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1993apj...416..157b&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal v.416, p.157
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
13
Galaxies: Interactions, Galaxies: Individual Ngc Number: Ngc 4782/4783, Galaxies: Jets, Methods: Numerical
Scientific paper
We present here a general numerical simulation algorithm for ballistic radio jets. The evolution of the jets is determined by their response to mechanical forces (i.e., gravity and ram pressure). Using a previously derived collision model for the interacting pair of elliptical galaxies NGC 4782/4783, we have used this algorithm to simulate the specific two-sided jet morphology seen in the radio source associated with NGC 4782 (3C 278). This is the first time that such simulations have been attempted for a galaxy pair whose relative orbit was determined independently from the jet modeling. The general morphological features of the jets in 3C 278 (e.g., position angles, lengths, curvature, and deflection angles) are well matched by the simulations, indicating that our model of the mechanical forces acting on the jets can indeed reproduce most of the basic details of the jet morphology and thereby provide an opportunity to model a combination of detailed optical, radio, and X-ray data for a wide variety of interacting radio-jet galaxies.
Our models constrain the initial jet parameters (i.e., the ejection speed, direction, and starting time), the properties of the gaseous medium into which the jets are ejected, and the relative importance of gravitational deflection versus ram pressure bending in influencing the jet morphology. For 3C 278, we find that the effects of ram pressure dominate the structural evolution of the jets. In our best-fit simulation the jet ejection speed is of order 104 km s-1, to within 50%, suggesting that similar low-luminosity radio jets are also significantly subluminal. We also find that the jets are ejected within ˜5° of the line of sight, the ISM in the non-jet galaxy has a much larger effect on the jet deflection than does the host galaxy, and the jet activity began just over 70 million years ago, roughly 50 million years before the pericenter passage of the two galaxies. Therefore, the onset of nuclear activity appears in 3C 278 to be related to the kinematically observed tidal shock that has been induced in the core of NGC 4782 as a result of its deeply penetrating collision with NGC 4783.
Borne Kirk D.
Colina Luis
No associations
LandOfFree
Ballistic Models for Radio Jets in Colliding Galaxies: 3C 278 (NGC 4782/4783) 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 Ballistic Models for Radio Jets in Colliding Galaxies: 3C 278 (NGC 4782/4783), we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ballistic Models for Radio Jets in Colliding Galaxies: 3C 278 (NGC 4782/4783) will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1324577