Observing Relativistic Jet Simulations
Abstract
Despite extensive observations of relativistic jets in blazars and radio galaxies across the entire electro-magnetic spectrum, from radio to gamma-ray wavelengths, many physical properties of jets remain poorly constrained. Much progress has been made in the last decade on understanding the structure of jets and their launching mechanisms using numerical simulations, including treatment of magneto-hydrodynamics in the framework of general relativity. We aim to provide a better connection between the numerical simulations and the multi-wavelength observations by modeling emission of simulated jets. We start with synchrotron emission observable at radio-to-optical frequencies. Relativistic effects dominate the observed properties of jets and are thus included in the radiative transfer. The degree and position angle of polarization, as well as its degree of variability, are emerging as important diagnostics of the geometry of the jet. We also consider non-local effects with the goal of modeling gamma-ray emission extensively observed by the Fermi satellite.
- Publication:
-
AAS/High Energy Astrophysics Division #13
- Pub Date:
- April 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013HEAD...1330001B