The sidedness of jets and depolarization in powerful extragalactic radio sources

摘要: The cause of one-sidedness in the jets otherwise symmetrical extragalactic radio sources is a subject some controversy1. There good evidence for relativistic bulk motion cores these objects (from observations apparent superluminal motion, rapid variability and absence inverse-Compton X-rays)2. A natural hypothesis then that are intrinsically two-sided they remain on all scales3, jet closer to us appearing bright as result Doppler beaming. Alternatively, may be one-sided, which case need not relativistic. During study polarization properties powerful sources, it became clear those with one-sided jets, depolarization increasing wavelength usually weaker lobe containing jet. One obvious interpretation caused by differential Faraday rotation through irregularities magnetoionic medium surrounding source. side stronger us, seen smaller amount material therefore shows less depolarization. halo hot gas around associated galaxy or quasar likely candidate depolarizing medium.