Abstract

Intensive monitoring of the innermost jet in the quasar 3C 279 at 43 GHz from 1998 March to 2001 April with the Very Long Baseline Array, in combination with previous observations, reveal (1) an increase in apparent speed from 5c to 17c and (2) a change in projected direction of the jet by ~20°. These effects could result from a small increase in the intrinsic viewing angle of the jet nozzle from Θ lesssim 0fdg5 to Θ lesssim 1fdg6, with no increase required in the actual speed of the flow, which corresponds to a Lorentz factor γ gtrsim 20. The Lorentz factor ~20 and viewing angle ~0fdg5 imply that the Doppler factor is at least 39 close to the core; this extreme value explains the high flux density and rapid variability of 3C 279 across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.