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A 'Twin-Exhaust' Model for Double Radio Sources

Blandford, R. D. and Rees, M. J. (1974) A 'Twin-Exhaust' Model for Double Radio Sources. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 169 (3). pp. 395-415. ISSN 0035-8711. doi:10.1093/mnras/169.3.395. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20190521-165454108

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Abstract

A mechanism is proposed for the formation of radio components in strong double sources such as Cygnus A. Relativistic plasma generated in an active galactic nucleus cannot escape isotropically if the nucleus is surrounded by too much dense thermal gas. There is, however, a possible equilibrium flow in which the plasma escapes along two oppositely-directed channels or ‘exhausts’. At all points on the boundary of these channels, the pressure of the relativistic (possibly magnetized) plasma must balance the pressure of the static thermal gas cloud. The outflow velocity becomes sonic (implying, for ultra-relativistic plasma, a velocity c/√⁠3) where the external pressure is ≈12 its central value. The channel cross-section reaches a minimum value at this point. The channel then widens again as the external pressure drops still further, and, as in a de Laval nozzle, the flow becomes supersonic. Relativistic plasma can thus be collimated into two relativistic beams. Hargrave & Ryle's high resolution maps of Cygnus A reveal ‘hot spots’ ≲ 2 kpc in size at the outer edge of each individual component into which (it is believed) energy is being continuously supplied. We identify these hot spots with the regions where the beams impinge on the intergalactic medium. The dimensions and radio luminosity of Cygnus A imply that the central galactic nucleus must have maintained a power output ∼10^(46) erg s^(-1) for 10^6 – 10^7 yr. This outflow could have been collimated into two sufficiently narrow beams if the galactic nucleus were surrounded by gas with T ≃ 10^8 K, density ∼10^3 particles cm^(−3) and scale height ∼ 200 pc. Some aspects of the detailed morphology of Cygnus A are also interpreted on the basis of this general model. The possible role of instabilities in the flow pattern, and the influence of magnetic fields, is discussed. Applications to other sources (which generally require less extreme parameters than Cygnus A) are briefly considered.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/169.3.395DOIArticle
http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1974MNRAS.169..395BADSArticle
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Blandford, R. D.0000-0002-1854-5506
Additional Information:© 1974 Royal Astronomical Society. Provided by the NASA Astrophysics Data System. Received in original form 1974 July 22.; Received 1974 August 31. We have benefited from illuminating discussions with many colleagues about radio source models, and wish especially to thank J. Arons, S. F. Gull, F. D. Kahn, C. Max, K. J.E. Northover, J.P. Ostriker and P.A. G. Scheuer. M. J. R. also acknowledges useful comments from participants in the Aspen Astrophysics 'Workshop', during which part of this paper was written. In addition, long baseline studies of galactic nuclei and quasars associated with powerful double sources might be able to decide if bifurcation of the energy supply is-as we predict-brought about on length scales ≾ 100 pc.
Issue or Number:3
DOI:10.1093/mnras/169.3.395
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20190521-165454108
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20190521-165454108
Official Citation:R. D. Blandford, M. J. Rees, A ‘Twin-Exhaust’ Model for Double Radio Sources, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 169, Issue 3, 1 December 1974, Pages 395–415, https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/169.3.395
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:95678
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: George Porter
Deposited On:22 May 2019 14:28
Last Modified:16 Nov 2021 17:14

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