Self-similar jets from sources with a random time variability

Abstract

The structures of knots in astrophysical jets can be modelled as internal shock waves that result from a time variability of the jet source. Previous work has provided an understanding of jet flows ejected from sources with a periodic variability. This paper is concerned with jets from sources with non-periodic variabilities. With a simple analytic formalism based on solutions of the Boltzmann and the inviscid Burgers equation, it is possible to find self-similar solutions that describe the spatial and velocity distributions of the knots as a function of distance from the source