VLBI observations of helical jets: hints on the nature of radio-jets
M. Perucho, Y. Y. Kovalev. P. E. Hardee, A. P. Lobanov, I. Agudo, I., Marti-Vidal

TL;DR
This study uses VLBI observations to analyze the helical structure of the radio jet in quasar S5 0836+710, suggesting the ridge-line is a physical pressure maximum related to jet instability, with implications for jet dynamics.
Contribution
It provides new evidence that the jet's helical ridge-line is a real physical structure and explores its implications for jet stability and disruption.
Findings
Helical structure observed at all frequencies and epochs.
Ridge-line coincides across frequencies, indicating a physical feature.
Transversal motions appear superluminal, likely due to measurement errors.
Abstract
We make use of VLBI observations of the radio jet in the quasar S5 0836+710 at different frequencies and epochs to study its properties. The jet shows helical structure at all frequencies. The ridge-line of the emission in the jet coincides at all frequencies and epochs, within the errors. We conclude that the helicity is a real, physical structure. Small differences between epochs reveal wave-like motion of the ridge-line transversal to the jet propagation axis. These transversal motions are measured to be superluminal. This unphysical result could correspond to a possible small amplitude oscillation of the ridge-line at the radio-core and to large errors in the determination of the positions. In addition, higher resolution images at 15 GHz show that the ridge-line does not coincide exactly with the centre of the radio jet. At arc-second scales, this powerful jet shows non-collimated,…
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Taxonomy
TopicsAstrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena · Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae · Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena
