A model for radio/optical jets.
Abstract
We develop a model in which mildly-relativistic jets propagate through the interstellar medium in active galaxies and collide with dense gaseous obstacles (supernova remnants, winds from giant stars or line-emitting clouds for example). Shock waves result from these interactions. Particles are accelerated at the shocks and subsequently emit synchrotron emission. This model can explain the properties of radio/optical jets similar to the one observed in M 87 (knotty structure, radiation spectra, energetics etc). We show that supernova remnants and red giant stars give at most a minor contribution to the jets' structure. Line-emitting clouds are the most probable obstacle candidates.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- March 1996
- Bibcode:
- 1996A&A...307..347F
- Keywords:
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- GALAXIES: JETS;
- ISM: CLOUDS;
- SHOCK WAVES;
- RADIO CONTINUUM: GALAXIES