Observations of compact radio sources
Abstract
Eighty-seven compact radio sources were monitored between 1971 and 1974 with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory interferometer. Both flux density and polarization were measured at intervals of about one month at wavelengths of 3.7 and 11.1 cms. Forty-four sources showed definite variability in their total and/or polarized flux density. The variations in polarization were of a shorter time scale than the corresponding flux density variations. Some of the qualitative features of an expanding source model were observed. The data suggest that some form of injection of relativistic electrons is taking place. The absence of significant depolarization in the variable sources indicates that only a small fraction of the mass of the radio outburst is in the form of nonrelativistic plasma. Some of the objects observed belong to the BL-Lacertal class. It is shown that this class is very inhomogeneous in its radio properties. For the violently variable BL-Lacertal type objects the spectrum, flux variations and polarization data strongly suggest that these are very young objects.
- Publication:
-
Ph.D. Thesis
- Pub Date:
- December 1975
- Bibcode:
- 1975PhDT........27A
- Keywords:
-
- Radio Astronomy;
- Radio Interferometers;
- Radio Sources (Astronomy);
- Flux Density;
- Polarization Characteristics;
- Relativistic Particles;
- Relativistic Plasmas;
- Communications and Radar