Open AccessThe infrared jet in 3C 66B
Author(s) -
Tansley D.,
Birkinshaw M.,
Hardcastle M. J.,
Worrall D. M.
Publication year - 2000
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.1365-8711.2000.03657.x
Subject(s) - physics , infrared , jet (fluid) , astrophysics , infrared astronomy , electron , wavelength , flux (metallurgy) , population , spectral energy distribution , astronomy , optics , galaxy , thermodynamics , materials science , demography , quantum mechanics , sociology , metallurgy
We present images of infrared (IR) emission from the radio jet in 3C 66B. Data at three wavelengths (4.5, 6.75 and 14.5 μm) were obtained using the Infrared Space Observatory . The 6.75‐μm image clearly shows an extension aligned with the radio structure. The jet was also detected in the 14.5‐μm image, but not at 4.5 μm. The radio–infrared–optical spectrum of the jet can be interpreted as synchrotron emission from a population of electrons with a high‐energy break of 4×10 11 eV. We place upper limits on the IR flux from the radio counter‐jet. A symmetrical, relativistically beamed twin‐jet structure is consistent with our results if the jets consist of multiple components.