Open AccessThe large‐scale jet‐powered radio nebula of Circinus X‐1
Author(s) -
Tudose V.,
Fender R. P.,
Kaiser C. R.,
Tzioumis A. K.,
Van Der Klis M.,
Spencer R. E.
Publication year - 2006
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 - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2006.10873.x
Subject(s) - physics , nebula , astrophysics , emission nebula , neutron star , protoplanetary nebula , astronomy , jet (fluid) , luminosity , interstellar medium , galaxy , stars , thermodynamics
We present multi‐epoch observations of the radio nebula around the neutron star X‐ray binary Circinus X‐1 made at 1.4 and 2.5 GHz with the Australia Telescope Compact Array between 2000 October and 2004 September. The nebula can be seen as a result of the interaction between the jet from the system and the interstellar medium and it is likely that we are actually looking toward the central X‐ray binary system through the jet‐powered radio lobe. The study of the nebula thus offers a unique opportunity to estimate for the first time using calorimetry the energetics of a jet from an object clearly identified as a neutron star. An extensive discussion on the energetics of the complex is presented: a first approach is based on the minimum energy estimation, while a second one employs a self‐similar model of the interaction between the jets and the surrounding medium. The results suggest an age for the nebula of ≤10 5 yr and a corresponding time‐averaged jet power ≥10 35 erg s −1 . During periodic flaring episodes, the instantaneous jet power may reach values of similar magnitude to the X‐ray luminosity.