Global Jet Watch

Abstract:

Reverberation mapping of radio-quiet active galactic nuclei (AGN) has shown that the size of the broad line region (BLR) scales with the power of the source. We assume that this scaling also applies to blazars. We demonstrate that, according to this scaling, the inverse Compton (IC) losses are dominated by synchrotron - self Compton scattering (SSC) in weak sources like Mkn 421, while in powerful sources, like 3C 279, they are dominated by external Compton (EC) scattering of BLR photons. We also show that this scaling is in good agreement with the observed sequence of blazar, properties with luminosity.

Abstract:

We present an up-to-date critique of the physical basis for the spectral ageing method. We find that the number of cases where this method may be meaningfully applied to deduce the ages of classical double radio sources is small indeed. This critique is much more than merely a re-expression of anxieties about the calibration of spectral ageing (which have been articulated by others in the past).

Abstract:

We present some preliminary results from synchrotron and synchrotron-self-Compton (SSC) emission models for the hot-spots of powerful radio galaxies. In addition to well known radiative models already reported in the literature, we include the computation of the spectrum of the emitting electrons as a function of the distance from the hot-spot centre. The radial evolution of the spectrum takes into account possible particle reacceleration, synchrotron, SSC and adiabatic losses. We concentrate on the case of the northern hot-spot of the radio galaxy 3C 295 where radio, optical and X-ray data are available.

Abstract:

The Whipple 10 m Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescope has laid the foundations for ground-based gamma-ray astronomy, notably by extending measurements of blazar spectra and flux variability to TeV energies and revealing a correlation between TeV gamma-ray and X-ray flares. The Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System, VERITAS, is a next generation Cherenkov observatory proposed to extend these measurements over the 50 GeV to 50 TeV range. The purpose of this paper is to highlight some recent results from the Whipple Observatory.

Abstract:

We have carried out 2-D axisymmetric numerical simulations of light, supersonic jets. These simulations are used to test the hypothesis of self-similarity for the propagation of jets in powerful radio galaxies. A large range of jet parameters has been explored and we find that the jet flow is not always self-similar. Instead, it undergoes up to three phases which, individually, can be considered to be scale-free although, the jet does not exhibit self-similar behaviour during the transition. The number of phases that a jet goes through and their duration seem to depend upon the initial Mach number.