A Search for Motion and Flux Variations in the M87 Jet
Abstract
We compare 0.1" resolution 15 GHz images of the M87 jet obtained with the VLA in 1982 and 1985. The measured velocity for knot A is 0.28 +/- 0.20 c in the outward direction; knots B, C, and D are consistent with subluminal motion and have larger uncertainties. There is no evidence for flux variations greater than a few percent in the core or brighter knots. It is suggested that the jet is intrinsically one-sided and has a bulk flow velocity ~0.5 c or less. The possibility of relativistic flow with near-stationary shocks cannot, however, be completely ruled out.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- July 1989
- DOI:
- 10.1086/167581
- Bibcode:
- 1989ApJ...342..128B
- Keywords:
-
- Elliptical Galaxies;
- Radio Jets (Astronomy);
- Virgo Galactic Cluster;
- Brightness Distribution;
- Flow Velocity;
- Relativistic Velocity;
- Very Large Array (Vla);
- Astrophysics;
- GALAXIES: INDIVIDUAL MESSIER NUMBER: M87;
- GALAXIES: INTERNAL MOTIONS;
- GALAXIES: JETS;
- INTERFEROMETRY;
- RADIO SOURCES: GALAXIES