Komissarov, S (2017) The remarkable AGN jets. Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, 12 (S324). pp. 141-148. ISSN 1743-9213
Abstract
The jets from active galactic nuclei exhibit stability which seems to be far superior compared to that of terrestrial and laboratory jets. They manage to propagate over distances up to a billion of initial jet radii. Yet this may not be an indication of some exotic physics but mainly a reflection of the specific environment these jets propagate through. The key property of this environment is a rapid decline of density and pressure along the jet, which promotes its rapid expansion. Such an expansion can suppress global instabilities, which require communication across the jet, and hence ensure its survival over huge distances. At kpc scales, some AGN jets do show signs of strong instabilities and even turn into plumes. This could be a result of the flattening of the external pressure distribution in their host galaxies or inside the radio lobes. In this regard, we discuss the possible connection between the stability issue and the Fanaroff-Riley classification of extragalactic radio sources. The observations of AGN jets on sub-kpc scale do not seem to support their supposed lack of causal connectivity. When interpreted using simple kinematic models, they reveal a rather perplexing picture with more questions than answers on the jets dynamics.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © International Astronomical Union 2017. This article has been published in a revised form in Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union [https://doi.org/10.1017/S1743921317001922]. This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | black hole physics, relativity, galaxies: jets, hydrodynamics, MHD, radio continuum: galaxies |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Mathematics (Leeds) > Applied Mathematics (Leeds) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) ST/N000676/1 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 10 Jul 2017 15:20 |
Last Modified: | 31 Jan 2019 16:02 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
Identification Number: | 10.1017/S1743921317001922 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:118803 |