Projects per year
Abstract
Context. Supermassive black holes in the centres of radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN) can produce collimated relativistic outflows (jets). Magnetic fields are thought to play a key role in the formation and collimation of these jets, but the details are much debated. Aims. We study the innermost jet morphology and magnetic field strength in the AGN 3C 345 with an unprecedented resolution using images obtained within the framework of the key science programme on AGN polarisation of the Space VLBI mission RadioAstron. Methods. We observed the flat spectrum radio quasar 3C 345 at 1.6 GHz on 2016 March 30 with RadioAstron and 18 ground-based radio telescopes in full polarisation mode. Results. Our images, in both total intensity and linear polarisation, reveal a complex jet structure at 300 μas angular resolution, corresponding to a projected linear scale of about 2 pc or a few thousand gravitational radii. We identify the synchrotron self-absorbed core at the jet base and find the brightest feature in the jet 1.5 mas downstream of the core. Several polarised components appear in the Space VLBI images that cannot be seen from ground array-only images. Except for the core, the electric vector position angles follow the local jet direction, suggesting a magnetic field perpendicular to the jet. This indicates the presence of plane perpendicular shocks in these regions. Additionally, we infer a minimum brightness temperature at the largest (u, v)-distances of 1.1 × 1012 K in the source frame, which is above the inverse Compton limit and an order of magnitude larger than the equipartition value. This indicates locally efficient injection or re-acceleration of particles in the jet to counter the inverse Compton cooling or the geometry of the jet creates significant changes in the Doppler factor, which has to be > 11 to explain the high brightness temperatures.
Original language | English |
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Article number | A82 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Astronomy and Astrophysics |
Volume | 648 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 14 Apr 2021 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- Galaxies: active
- Galaxies: jets
- Galaxies: magnetic fields
- Quasars: individual: 3C 345
- Radio continuum: galaxies
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Probing the innermost regions of AGN jets and their magnetic fields with RadioAstron: IV. The quasar 3C 345 at 18 cm: Magnetic field structure and brightness temperature'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 3 Finished
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NT-VGOS: From quasars to geodesy: how astronomy can enable a new era in ultra-precise geodetic measurements
Savolainen, T. (Principal investigator), Chamani Velasco, W. (Project Member) & Xu, M. (Project Member)
01/09/2018 → 28/02/2023
Project: Academy of Finland: Other research funding
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Physics of Black Hole-Powered Jets
Savolainen, T. (Principal investigator)
01/01/2016 → 31/08/2019
Project: Academy of Finland: Other research funding
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Physics of Black Hole-Powered Jets
Savolainen, T. (Principal investigator)
01/09/2014 → 31/08/2019
Project: Academy of Finland: Other research funding
Equipment
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Metsähovi Radio Observatory
Tammi, J. (Manager)
School of Electrical EngineeringFacility/equipment: Facility