Multi-epoch multi-frequency VLBI study of the parsec-scale jet in the blazar 3C 66A
- Key Laboratory for Research in Galaxies and Cosmology, Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200030 (China)
- Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193 (Japan)
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Tokyo 181-8588 (Japan)
We present observational results of the γ-ray blazar 3C 66A at 2.3, 8.4, and 22 GHz at four epochs during 2004–2005 with the VLBA. The resulting images show an overall core-jet structure extending roughly to the south, with two intermediate breaks occurring in the region near the core. By model-fitting to the visibility data, the northmost component, which is also the brightest, is identified as the core according to its relatively flat spectrum and its compactness. Combining our results with previous results to investigate the proper motions of the jet components, we found the kinematics of 3C 66A to be quite complicated, with components of inward and outward, subluminal and superluminal motions all detected in the radio structure. The superluminal motions indicate strong Doppler boosting exists in the jet. The apparent inward motions of the innermost components last for at least 10 years and could not be caused by newborn components. A possible reason could be non-stationarity of the core due to opacity change.
- OSTI ID:
- 22342139
- Journal Information:
- Astronomical Journal (New York, N.Y. Online), Vol. 149, Issue 2; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1538-3881
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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