Direction of Parsec-Scales Jets for 9220 Active Galactic Nuclei

TL;DR

This paper presents an automated method to measure the directions of parsec-scale jets in over 9,200 active galactic nuclei using interferometric data across multiple frequencies, achieving high accuracy and robustness.

Contribution

The authors developed a new automated technique for determining AGN jet directions from calibrated interferometric data, applicable across a wide frequency range.

Findings

Measured jet directions for 9220 AGNs with accuracy below 10 degrees.

Validated the method through internal consistency checks and comparison with previous studies.

Provided a large, reliable dataset of AGN jet directions for astrophysical research.

Abstract

The direction of parsec-scale jets in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is essential information for many astrophysical and astrometric studies, including linear polarization and magnetic field structure, frequency-dependent synchrotron opacity, proper motion, and reference frame alignment. We developed a rigorous, simple, and completely automated method to measure the directions from calibrated interferometric visibility data at frequencies ranging from 1.4 GHz to 86 GHz. We publish the results for 9220 AGNs with the typical accuracy below 10 degrees. An internal check of the method comparing the directions between different observing frequencies as well as with previous publications verifies the robustness of the measured values.