Studies of Compact Extragalactic Radio Sources

这个项目将使用厘米波长的无线电干涉测量法，尽可能接近活动星系核（AGN）的中心，研究其物理特性。极化观测揭示了磁场的顺序和方向，以及AGN内部和周围的热粒子环境，创造了喷流和关键物理参数的时间演变的“磁电影”。在两个或两个以上的波长上观测将绘制出热气体在空间和时间上的分布图，并在激波通过相对论性等离子体射流传播的模型框架中解释动力学和极化数据的组合，将约束射流及其激波的物理性质。利用天基数据扩展观测到的电磁频谱，该项目将测量AGN大范围内的流体和冲击速度，包括x射线发射射流。这项工作为培养学生和培养他们的研究技能提供了良好的环境。这项研究还将建立一个大型的、电子的天文观测数据库，供社区中的其他研究人员使用

AST-0307531RobertsThis project will study the physics of active galactic nuclei (AGN) as close as possible to their centers, using radio interferometry at centimeter wavelengths. Polarization observations reveal the order and orientation of the magnetic field, as well as the thermal particle environment in and around the AGN, creating "magnetic movies" of the time evolution of the jets and of critical physical parameters. Observing at two or more wavelengths will map the thermal gas in both space and time, and interpreting the combined dynamical and polarimetric data in the framework of models where shock waves propagate through jets of relativistic plasma, will constrain the physical properties of the jet and its shocks. Using space-based data to extend the observed electromagnetic spectrum, the project will measure fluid and shock velocities in a wide range of AGN, including X-ray emitting jets.This work provides an excellent environment for training students and building their research skills. The research will also create large, electronically available databases of astronomical observations, of use to other researchers in the community.***