Radio emission and the hot interstellar medium of early-type galaxies

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/168103· OSTI ID:6966862

Fabbiano, G; Gioia, I M; Trinchieri, G ^[1]

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1. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA (USA)

The results of an analysis of a sample of 84 elliptical and S0 galaxies, observed in X-rays with the Einstein Observatory and in radio continuum at 5 GHz, are reported. Radio flux densities result in some of the lowest radio powers yet reported for early-type galaxies. Radio structures extending beyond the optical radius are found only in galaxies with 5 GHz radio power greater than about 10 exp 29.5 ergs/s/Hz. Radio and X-ray luminosities are correlated, although with large intrinsic scatter, suggesting that more than one mechanism may be involved. A correlation between core radio power and the X-ray-to-optical ratio suggests a connection between the hot ISM and nuclear radio sources and points to accreting cooling flows as the fuel for the radio sources. For the same radio core power, extended radio lobes tend to be associated with galaxies with relatively smaller X-ray-to-optical ratios, pointing to the importance of the hot ISM in disrupting the radio jets and confining extended radio structures. 82 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6966862
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 347; 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
CONFIGURATION
CORRELATIONS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELLIPTICAL CONFIGURATION
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LUMINOSITY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA JETS
RADIATION FLUX
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SPACE
SPIRAL CONFIGURATION
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
VISIBLE RADIATION
X RADIATION