The inner jet of radio galaxy NGC 315 as observed with Chandra and the very large array

D. M. Worrall*, M. Birkinshaw, R. A. Laing, W. D. Cotton, A. H. Bridle

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

43 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We present Chandra X-ray results for the jet, nucleus and gaseous atmosphere of NGC 315, a nearby radio galaxy whose jet kinematics are known through deep radio mapping. Diffuse X-ray synchrotron emission is detected from the jet out to 30 arcsec from the nucleus, through regions both of fast bulk flow and deceleration. The X-ray-to-radio flux ratio drops considerably where the flow decelerates, but the X-ray and radio emissions show similar transverse extents throughout, requiring distributed particle acceleration to maintain the supply of X-ray-emitting electrons. A remarkable knotty filament within the jet is seen in both the radio and X-ray, contributing roughly 10 per cent of the diffuse emission along its extent at both wavelengths. No completely satisfactory explanation for the filament is found, though its oscillatory appearance, roughly aligned magnetic field and requirements for particle acceleration, suggest that it is a magnetic strand within a shear layer between fast inner and slower outer flow.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2-14
Number of pages13
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume380
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2007

Keywords

  • radiation mechanisms : non-thermal
  • galaxies : active
  • galaxies : individual : NGC 315
  • galaxies : jets
  • radio continuum : general
  • X-rays : galaxies
  • X-RAY-EMISSION
  • KELVIN-HELMHOLTZ INSTABILITY
  • RELATIVISTIC PARTICLE BEAMS
  • MULTIFREQUENCY OBSERVATIONS
  • MAGNETIC-FIELD
  • M87 JET
  • NGC 315
  • 3C 66B
  • FR-I
  • NUCLEI

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