A Model for the Knots in the M87 Jet
Abstract
A new interpretation of the knots in the M87 jet is presented. It is proposed that they are the sites of dense blobs of gas lying within a directed supersonic jet. Jet kinetic energy is dissipated in each knot behind a strong bow shock, where particle acceleration and magnetic field amplification can occur. The momentum flux incident on these obstacles accelerates them in the direction of the jet, and they should cease to radiate efficiently when their velocity approaches that of the jet. The eight known optical knots may be interpreted as either supernova remnants or interstellar clouds. The five outermost knots could be fragments of one such object which became dynamically unstable.
- Publication:
-
Astrophysical Letters
- Pub Date:
- 1979
- Bibcode:
- 1979ApL....20...15B
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Models;
- Gas Density;
- Interstellar Gas;
- Particle Acceleration;
- Supernova Remnants;
- Supersonic Jet Flow;
- Bow Waves;
- Density Distribution;
- Dynamic Stability;
- Kinetic Energy;
- Shock Waves;
- Astrophysics