Detection of large Faraday rotation in the inner 2 kiloparsecs of M87

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/169282· OSTI ID:6315818

Owen, F N; Eilek, J A; Keel, W C ^[1]

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1. National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Socorro, NM (USA) New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro (USA) Alabama Univ., Tuscaloosa (USA)

VLA polarization maps of M87 at four frequencies between 4.635 and 4.935 GHz reveal large Faraday rotation measures in the direction of the 2-kpc radio lobes. Over most of the source the typical rotation measure is 1000 rad/sq m, but values as high as 8000 rad/sq m are found in small regions. Most of the source has fractional polarization in excess of 10 percent. This fact, coupled with the high rotation measures, suggests that the rotation is taking place in a Faraday screen in front of the radio-emitting plasma rather than mixed with it. 14 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6315818
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 362; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION SPECTRA
FARADAY EFFECT
GALAXIES
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
IONIZING RADIATIONS
JETS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MORPHOLOGY
MOTION
PLASMA
POLARIZATION
RADIATIONS
RADIO GALAXIES
ROTATION
SPACE
SPECTRA
X RADIATION