Work

Unravelling the dynamics of cosmic vortices: Probing a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in the jet of 3C 84

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Understanding the creation of relativistic jets originating from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) requires a thorough understanding of the accompanying plasma instabilities. Our high-sensitivity, high-resolution, global, very-long-baseline-interferometry observations of the jet in the radio galaxy 3C 84 have enabled us to study its inner morphology. We find that its thread-like pattern can be described by a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, consisting of four instability modes. Our model favours a jet described by a Mach number of Mj = 5.0 ± 1.7 and a sound speed of αj = 0.14 ± 0.06. On this basis, we are able to describe the internal structure of 3C 84 and tentatively connect the origin of the instability to disc accretion activity.

Source: Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)

DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202554201/pdf

Authors: G. F. Paraschos, V. Mpisketzis

Institutions: Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, Goethe University Frankfurt, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Language: English

Topic: Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory

OpenAlex ID: W7111401735

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