Open AccessThermal material in relativistic jets
Author(s) -
A. Celotti,
Zdenka Kuncic,
M. J. Rees,
J. F. C. Wardle
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.1998.01124.x
Subject(s) - physics , thermal , astrophysical jet , jet (fluid) , astrophysics , component (thermodynamics) , plasma , thermal energy , active galactic nucleus , spectral line , thermal emission , astronomy , mechanics , nuclear physics , galaxy , thermodynamics
The properties of thermal material co‐existing with non‐thermal emitting plasma and strong magnetic fields in the powerful jets of active galactic nuclei (AGN) are examined. Theoretical and observational constraints on the physical properties of this ‘cold’ component are determined. While the presence of a thermal component occupying a fraction ∼ 10 −8 of the jet volume is possible, it seems unlikely that such a component is capable of contributing significantly to the total jet energy budget, since the thermal reprocessing signatures that should appear in the spectra have not, as yet, been detected.