X-ray imaging observations of the radio galaxies Cen A, Vir A, and 3C273

Thesis/Dissertation · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5604954

Feigelson, E D

This dissertation reports results from detailed two-dimensional X-ray images of three radio galaxies obtained with the High Resolution Imager and Imaging Proportional Counter on board the Einstein X-ray Observatory (HEAO-B satellite). The images reveal several distinct sources of X-ray emission in these galaxies including the active nucleus, hot interstellar medium, stars, radio lobes, and jets. The most important result is the discovery of X-ray jets in all three of these galaxies, demonstrating that highly energetic processes occur in the transport of energy and matter from radio galaxy nuclei to lobes. In addition, the strongest evidence to date for inverse Compton X-ray emission from extended radio lobes is provided and for hydrostatic (in contrast to ram) pressure confinement of radio lobes by a hot external medium. In Centaurus A = NGC 5128, the most dramatic X-ray structure is a linear jet of emission extending 8'' to 4' (0.2 to 6 kpc) from the nucleus towards the NE radio lobes. It consists of several resolved knots about 150 pc in radius, each emitting 10/sup 38/ to 10/sup 39/ erg/s in soft x-rays. Various thermal nd non-thermal models for the emission are considered in detail; none can be rigorously excluded with the available evidence. Also present in the images of Cen A are: X-ray emission associated with the outer optical jet and radio lobe; a ridge of emission below and parallel to the dust lane, probably produced by Population I sources; diffuse emission absorbed along the dust lane, probably due to a hot interstellar medium of about 10/sup 8/ M; the strong, variable nuclear source; and five X-ray sources unrelated to the galaxy, including a probable distant RS CVn binary system.

• Research Organization: Harvard Univ., Boston, MA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5604954
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
COSMIC GASES
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION SPECTRA
FLUIDS
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
GASES
HYDROSTATICS
IMAGES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
JETS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
QUASARS
RADIATIONS
RADIO GALAXIES
SATELLITES
SPECTRA
SYNCHROTRON RADIATION
VISIBLE SPECTRA
X RADIATION