What is the Structure of Relativistic Jets in AGN on Scales of Light Days?

Wehrle, Ann E.; Zacharias, Norbert; Johnston, Kenneth; Boboltz, David; Fey, Alan L.; Gaume, Ralph; Ojha, Roopesh; Meier, David L.; Murphy, David W.; Jones, Dayton L.; Unwin, Stephen C.; Piner, B. G.

What is the Structure of Relativistic Jets in AGN on Scales of Light Days?

Active / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA537235 |

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Abstract:

The structure of relativistic jets in AGN on scales of light days reveals how energy propagates through jets, a process that is fundamental to galaxy evolution. A deeper understanding of jet physics will clarify the differences between radio-loud and radio-quiet quasars that manifest themselves near the supermassive black hole. We can also use relativistic jets to identify supermassive binary black holes remaining from galaxy mergers, and use orbital motion to derive the masses of the black holes. The search for binary black holes in the nuclei of galaxies will yield important information on their overall lifetime and on the processes occurring in galaxies that affect black holes and quasars. High-precision astrometric measurements, made using the technique of optical interferometry on a space-based platform, such as SIM Lite, are the key to answering these questions.

Author(s):

Wehrle, Ann E. ; Zacharias, Norbert ; Johnston, Kenneth ; Boboltz, David ; Fey, Alan L. ; Gaume, Ralph ; Ojha, Roopesh ; Meier, David L. ; Murphy, David W. ; Jones, Dayton L. ; Unwin, Stephen C. ; Piner, B. G.

Author Organization(s):

NAVAL OBSERVATORY WASHINGTON DC

Descriptive Note:

Journal article

Supplementary Note:

Published in The Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey, Science White Papers, n310, January 2009. Prepared in collaboration with Space Sciences Institute, Boulder, CO; Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, CA; and Whittier College, Whittier, CA. The original document contains color images.

Pagination:

0008

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:

Approved For Public Release

Distribution Statement:

Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR

Identifying Numbers

Monitor Series:

XD

Subject Terms

Joint Capability Areas:

JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_1.3_Human Capital Management; JCA_6.3.3_Spectrum Management; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_1.3.2_Personnel Management; JCA_8_Building Partnerships

Communities of Interest:

Materials and Manufacturing Processes

Descriptor(s):

*BLACK HOLES, *GALAXIES, ASTRONOMY, NUCLEI, SPACE BASED, QUASARS, INTERFEROMETRY, OPTICAL PROPERTIES, PLASMA JETS

Field(s)/Group(s):

Astrophysics, Celestial Mechanics

Keyword(s):

ASTROMETRICS, AGN(ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI), VLBA OBSERVATIONS, VLBA(VERY LONG BASELINE ARRAYS), VLBA TELESCOPES, VLBI(VERY LARGE BASELINE INTERFEROMETRY)

Report Date:

2009 Feb 11

Creation Date:

2011 Mar 09