A New Method of Determining Intrinsic Power in Relativistic Jets
Abstract
Using kinematic data from the VLBA 2 cm Survey and MOJAVE programs, we have found an apparent correlation between superluminal jet speed and extended radio power in radio-loud active galactic nuclei. This correlation persists even when the effects of redshift are partialled out. Since the particular sample used in this study is complete with respect to relativistically beamed core emission, we account for possible selection effects using Monte Carlo simulations of beamed jet populations. If the extended radio luminosity of active galaxies does indeed reflect intrinsic jet power, our result provides important confirmation of theoretical models that predict that more powerful jets should have higher Lorentz factors. This work is supported in part by NSF grant AST-0406923.
- Publication:
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American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004AAS...20514409K