HST Observations of 3C 66B: A Double-stranded Optical Jet
Abstract
The Faint Object Camera on the HST has imaged the central region of the synchrotron jet in 3C 66B with ultra-high spatial resolutions. The images have an angular resolution of 0.1'', corresponding to a linear scale of about 40 pc. This is a factor of more than 12 better linear resolution than previous optical images and more than 3 times better than the best radio map obtained with the VLA. There is a close correspondence between the general characteristics of the smoothed optical image and the radio map, implying that the young (<1000 yr) and old (>10^7^ yr) relativistic particles occupy similar regions to within about 130 pc. Particularly intriguing is the double-stranded filamentary nature of the jet which is clearly present on the full-resolution images. This could reflect edge- brightening effects due to enhanced radiation from a skinlike structure surrounding the jet. A simple interpretation of the similarity of optical and radio morphologies would imply that localized particle acceleration occurs along the jet. However, the filamentary structure and filling factor of the radiation would also be consistent with a model in which the electrons are accelerated within the nucleus and are transported along the jet in a channel having low magnetic field and consequent low radiation losses.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- June 1991
- DOI:
- 10.1086/186050
- Bibcode:
- 1991ApJ...373L..55M
- Keywords:
-
- Hubble Space Telescope;
- Radio Galaxies;
- Radio Jets (Astronomy);
- Faint Objects;
- Galactic Structure;
- Interstellar Magnetic Fields;
- Spatial Resolution;
- Synchrotron Radiation;
- Very Large Array (Vla);
- Astrophysics;
- GALAXIES: INDIVIDUAL ALPHANUMERIC: 3C 66B;
- GALAXIES: JETS;
- RADIO SOURCES: GALAXIES