Multi-wavelength polarimetry and variability study of M87 jet during 2002-2008
Abstract
In this dissertation, we present the multi-wavelength study of M87 jet. We compare the radio and optical polarimetry and variability. We attempt to study the spectrum of the jet in radio through X-rays wavelengths. By comparing the data with previously published VLA and HST observations, we show that the jet's morphology in total and polarized light is changing significantly on timescales of ~1 decade. We are looking for the variability of different knots and changes in their spectra using our deep, high resolution observations of the jet between 2002 and 2008. The observations have 2-3 times better resolution that any similar previous study (Perlman et al. 1999) in addition allowing us to observe variability. During this time, the nucleus showed month-scale variability in optical and X-rays and also flared twice in all wave- lengths including radio. The knot HST-1, located closest to the nucleus, displayed a huge flare, increasing about 100 times in brightness. The knot A and B complex shows variations in polarization structures indicating the presence of a helical magnetic field which may be responsible for the in-situ particle accelerations in the jet. We compare the evolution of different knots and components of the jet, when our observations overlap with the multi-wavelength monitoring campaigns conducted with HST and Chandra and comment on particle acceleration and main emission processes. We further use the data to investigate the observed 3-dimensional structure of the jet and the magnetic field structure.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #227
- Pub Date:
- January 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016AAS...22721904A