Jetted subgalactic-size radio sources in merging galaxies
Context. The long-standing question concerning jetted subgalactic-size (JSS) radio sources is whether they will evolve into large radio galaxies, die before escaping the host galaxy, or remain indefinitely confined to their compact size. Aims. Our main goal is to propose a scenario that explains the relative number of JSS radio sources and their general properties. Methods. We studied the parsec-scale radio morphology of a complete sample of 21 objects using Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations at various frequencies and analyzed the morphological characteristics of their optical hosts. Results. Many of these radio sources exhibit radio morphologies consistent with transverse motions of their bright edges and are found in dynamically disturbed galaxies. VLBA images suggest the possible presence of large-angle, short-period precessing jets, and an orbital motion of the radio-loud active galactic nucleus (AGN) in a dual or binary system. The majority of JSS radio sources appear to be in systems in different stages of their merging evolution. Conclusions. We propose a scenario where rapid jet redirection, through precession or orbital motion, prevents the jet from penetrating the interstellar medium (ISM) sufficiently to escape the host galaxy. Most JSS radio sources remain compact due to their occurrence in merging galaxies.
Authors
- D. Dallacasa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1246-6492)
- Cristiana Spingola (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2231-6861)
- M. Orienti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4470-7094)
- Sebastian Baum (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6792-9381)
- C.P. O'Dea
- P. Cassaro
- C. Stanghellini
- A. Zanichelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2893-023X)
- M-A. Perez-Torres
Institutions
- European University Cyprus (CY)
- Istituto di Radioastronomia di Bologna (IT)
- Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (ES)
- University of Manitoba (CA)
- University of Bologna (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Published
- 2025-02-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202451334
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Radio Astronomy Observations and Technology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.46
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- Smithsonian Institution
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
- Yale University
- Carnegie Institution of Washington
- Ohio State University
- California Institute of Technology
- Harvard University
- Aarhus Universitet
- Johns Hopkins University
- New Mexico State University
- Space Telescope Science Institute
- Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
- Flatiron Health
- Queen's University Belfast
- Durham University
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
- Queen's University
- University of Toronto
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica
- National Central University
- Universitetet i Oslo
- Háskóli Íslands
- Turun Yliopisto
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
- Yunnan University
- Nanjing University
- Stockholms Universitet
- Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem
- China National Textile and Apparel Council
- Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam
- Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- University of Colorado Boulder
- Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
- Science Mission Directorate
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- Leibniz-Gemeinschaft
- European Regional Development Fund
- Agencia Estatal de Investigación
- National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Planetary Science Division
- Los Alamos National Laboratory