QSQs and Radio Galaxies - their Spectra and Time Variations at Radio Frequencies

Abstract

Accurate relative spectra for 300 radio sources from the Parkes catalogue have been measured and a statistical study made of their relation to class of optical identification and to other radio properties. Individual spectra and their time variations have also been investigated.The results support the contention that radio sources for which no identification appears on the Palomar Sky Survey prints may be galaxies more luminous at radio frequencies than those which are identified. From a study of QSOs, radio galaxies and these blank field objects, it appears (a) that with increasing radio luminosity compact components are more often found, their presence being indicated by synchrotron self-absorption at low and high frequencies, by flat, variable spectra at high frequencies, and by interplanetary scintillations; and (b) that where no compact component contributes to the spectrum at high frequencies, many spectra steepen with increasing frequency, an effect which may be more marked for the more radio luminous objects.Detailed analyses of the time variations in the compact components of 22 variable sources are generally consistent with the adiabatically expanding, uniform sphere model of Shklovsky, Kellermann, van der Laan and others. The model was modified to include relativistic expansion according to the formulae given by Rees and Simon. The results suggest that these components have evolved within months or years, have linear dimension of 0.1 to 100 pc and magnetic fields of 1 to 10−4 G. Some spectra at frequencies above 5000 MHz suggest non-adiabatic expansion which may be the result of continued injection of energy into an expanding region.