Abstract
We report the detection of the first VLBI ring-structure around the core of an AGN - around the core of the quasar 3C454.3. This ring-structure starts being visible in VLBI maps around 1996. It expands with an apparent velocity between 0.11±0.01mas/yr and 0.18±0.01mas/yr and dominates the pc-scale structure for at least 14 years. This is the result of a re-analysis of 41 VLBA data sets at six different radio frequencies observed between 1995.57 and 2011.48. We observe a correlation between radio flaring, flux-density variability, a ring-structure and kinematic properties of the jet. Taken together, it is tempting to see a causal connection and to explain all of this geometrically. The kinematic changes as well as the changes in the flaring characteristics might be caused by a change of the angle to the line of sight towards the observer. This behaviour resembles our findings for 0735+178 - with 3C454.3 being the second AGN to reveal kinematic mode changes.These mode changes could be explained by the presence of a supermassive binary black hole. 3C454.3 had been modelled as a binary black hole before.
Published Version
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