The non-ballistic superluminal motion in the plane of the sky-II

TL;DR

This paper develops a comprehensive non-ballistic jet motion model explaining complex jet morphologies and motions, supported by numerical simulations and unified interpretations of observed phenomena in astrophysical jets.

Contribution

It introduces the first detailed non-ballistic jet model, including simulations and explanations for various jet behaviors and morphologies, bridging gaps in existing models.

Findings

Numerical simulation of multi-knot production in precessing jets

Unified interpretation of bent jets for multi-knot and single knot cases

Explanation for the prevalence of outward motions over inward ones

Abstract

The model of non-ballistic jet motion proposed in 2008 provides a simple explanation to the inward jet motion and bent jet. Recently, evidences of such a non-radial motion increase rapidly, and more complicated morphologies appear. On the other hand, the ballistic plus precession model likely holds in majority samples of jet motion. This paper discusses the relationship between the ballistic and non-ballistic model of jet motion, which suggests that the interaction of ejectors with ambient matter can produce knots at different stages of evolution and hence different separations to the core. And as a jet precesses, knots produced between the core and the deceleration radius result in spiral pattern expected by the model of ballistic plus precession; and knots generated at the deceleration radius display non-radial motion such as bent jet or oscillation of ridge-line. This paper develops the first non-ballistic model in four aspects. Firstly, it provides a numerical simulation to the production of multi-knot for a precessing jet. Secondly, it fits the precession behavior of multi-knot and interprets the oscillation of ridge lines like S5 1803+784. Thirdly, it gives an unified interpretation to the bent jet applicable to both multi-knot and single knot. And fourthly, the problem of very large numbers of observed outward motions as opposed to the inward ones is addressed in a new scope.