Open AccessLarge differential Faraday rotation in the compact steep‐spectrum quasar 3C 147 and jet–medium interactions
Author(s) -
Junor W.,
Salter C. J.,
Saikia D. J.,
Mantovani F.,
Peck A. B.
Publication year - 1999
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.1365-8711.1999.02774.x
Subject(s) - physics , quasar , faraday effect , astrophysics , differential rotation , faraday cage , rotation (mathematics) , jet (fluid) , spectrum (functional analysis) , astronomy , stars , magnetic field , galaxy , geometry , mathematics , quantum mechanics , thermodynamics
We present multifrequency radio observations of the prototypical compact steep‐spectrum quasar 3C 147, and report enormous differential Faraday rotation between the two extended components on opposite sides of the quasar. This indicates that large amounts of thermal gas are present, and demonstrates directly the existence of asymmetries in the gaseous environment of this source. We suggest a consistent picture for 3C 147, and comment on the evolution of compact steep‐spectrum radio sources in general.