Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2001-05-16
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Accepted to ApJ, 19 pages including 5 figures
Scientific paper
10.1086/322355
We present sensitive, high dynamic range, Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) polarimetric observations of the cores of three powerful radio galaxies: 3C166, 3C236 and 3C390.3. Significant polarization is detected in one source (3C166) allowing us to map out the Faraday Rotation Measure (RM) distribution and projected magnetic field direction. The inner jet of 3C166 is found to have a rest frame RM of -2300 rad/m**2, similar to those found in quasars cores. No polarized flux was detected from the other two sources, but in both counterjets are seen. The counterjet in 3C236 was previously known, but the detection in 3C390.3 is a new discovery. We suggest that the low fractional polarization in radio galaxy cores is the result of Faraday depolarization by ionized gas associated with the accretion disk. The lower polarization of radio galaxy cores compared to quasars is then naturally explained by unified models as a result of the viewing angle.
Hough David Hans
Taylor Greg B.
Venturi Tiziana
No associations
LandOfFree
VLBA Polarimetry of Three Powerful Radio Galaxy Cores 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 VLBA Polarimetry of Three Powerful Radio Galaxy Cores, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and VLBA Polarimetry of Three Powerful Radio Galaxy Cores will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-184433