Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: There is mounting evidence that mechanical radio source feedback is important in galaxy evolution and in order to quantify this feedback, detailed models of radio source evolution are required. We present an extension to current analytic models that encompasses young radio sources with physical sizes on sub-kiloparsec scales. This work builds on an existing young source dynamical model to include radiative losses in a flat environment, and as such, is the best physically motivated compact symmetric object model to date. Results predict that young radio sources experience significant radiative loss on length-scales and spectral scales consistent with observed compact steep spectrum sources. We include full expressions for the transition to self-similar expansion and present this complete model of radio source evolution from first cocoon formation to end of source lifetime around 108 years within the context of a simplified King profile external atmosphere.
Authors: T. Maciel, P. Alexander
Institution: University of Cambridge
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2022709442