Optical and Radio Polarimetry of the M87 Jet at 0.2" Resolution

Details Optical and Radio Polarimetry of the M87 Jet at 0.2" Resolution Optical and Radio Polarimetry of the M87 Jet at 0.2" Resolution

1999-01-13

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9901176v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

28 pages, 7 figures; accepted for publication in AJ (May 1999)

Scientific paper

10.1086/300844

We discuss optical (HST/WFPC2 F555W) and radio (15 GHz VLA) polarimetry observations of the M87 jet taken during 1994-1995. Many knot regions are very highly polarized ($\sim 40-50%$, approaching the theoretical maximum for optically thin synchrotron radiation), suggesting highly ordered magnetic fields. High degrees of polarization are also observed in interknot regions. While the optical and radio polarization maps share many similarities, we observe significant differences between the radio and optical polarized structures, particularly for bright knots in the inner jet, giving us important insight into the jet's radial structure. Unlike in the radio, the optical magnetic field position angle becomes perpendicular to the jet at the upstream ends of knots HST-1, D, E and F. Moreover, the optical polarization decreases markedly at the position of the flux maxima in these knots. In contrast, the magnetic field position angle observed in the radio remains parallel to the jet in most of these regions, and the decreases in radio polarization are smaller. More minor differences are seen in other jet regions. Many of the differences between optical and radio polarimetry results can be explained in terms of a model whereby shocks occur in the jet interior, where higher-energy electrons are concentrated and dominate both polarized and unpolarized emissions in the optical, while the radio maps show strong contributions from lower-energy electrons in regions with {\bf B} parallel, near the jet surface.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Optical and Radio Polarimetry of the M87 Jet at 0.2" Resolution 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 Optical and Radio Polarimetry of the M87 Jet at 0.2" Resolution, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical and Radio Polarimetry of the M87 Jet at 0.2" Resolution will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-229426