The large-scale jet-powered radio nebula of Circinus X-1
The large-scale jet-powered radio nebula of Circinus X-1
复制标题
圆规座 X-1 大型喷射动力射电星云
DOI:
10.1111/j.1365-2966.2006.10873.x
复制
发表时间:
2006
影响因子:
4.8
通讯作者:
Manchester
中科院分区:
文献类型:
--
作者:
V. Tudose;R. Fender;C. Kaiser;A. Tzioumis;M. Klis;R. Amsterdam;Bucharest;Southampton;Atnf;Manchester
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.