Einstein observations of the X-ray structure of Centaurus A: evidence for the radio-lobe energy source.
Abstract
The X-ray source at the center of the radio galaxy Centaurus A has been resolved into the following components with the imaging detectors on board the Einstein X-ray Observatory: (1) a point source coincident with the infrared nucleus; (2) diffuse X-ray emission coinciding with the inner radio lobes; (3) a 4-arcmin extended region of emission about the nucleus; and (4) an X-ray jet between the nucleus and the NE inner radio lobe. The 2 x 10 to the 39th ergs/s detected from the radio lobes probably arises from inverse Compton scattering of the microwave background. The average magnetic field in the SW lobe is determined to be not less than 4 microgauss. The extended region may be due to emission by a cloud of hot gas, cosmic-ray scattering, or stellar sources. The jet provides strong evidence for the continuous resupply of energy to the lobes from the nucleus.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- November 1979
- DOI:
- 10.1086/183105
- Bibcode:
- 1979ApJ...234L..39S
- Keywords:
-
- Centaurus Constellation;
- Galactic Nuclei;
- Heao 2;
- Radio Galaxies;
- X Ray Sources;
- Astronomical Observatories;
- Astrophysics;
- Astrophysics;
- Galactic Nuclei:X-Ray Structure;
- Radio Sources:X-Ray Sources