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arXiv · astro-ph/9903330

Radio Jet-Ambient Medium Interactions on Parsec Scales in the Blazar 1055+018

Joanne M. Attridge·David H. Roberts·John F. C. Wardle
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Abstract

As part of our study of the magnetic fields of AGN we have recently observed a large sample of blazars with the Very Long Baseline Array. Here we report the discovery of a striking two-component jet in the source 1055+018, consisting of an inner spine with a transverse magnetic field, and a fragmentary but distinct boundary layer with a longitudinal magnetic field. The polarization distribution in the spine strongly supports shocked-jet models while that in the boundary layer suggests interaction with the surrounding medium. This behavior suggests a new way to understand the differing polarization properties of strong- and weak-lined blazars.

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Joanne M. Attridge, David H. Roberts, John F. C. Wardle. 1999-04-28. Radio Jet-Ambient Medium Interactions on Parsec Scales in the Blazar 1055+018. https://doi.org/10.1086/312078

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