Published July 1, 2011 | Version v1
Journal article

JET PROPULSION OF WIND EJECTA FROM A MAJOR FLARE IN THE BLACK HOLE MICROQUASAR SS433

  • 1. University of Oxford, Department of Physics, Keble Road, Oxford, OX1 3RH (United Kingdom)
  • 2. Gemini Observatory, 670 North A'ohoku Place, University Park, Hilo, HI 96720 (United States)

Description

We present direct evidence, from adaptive-optics near-infrared imaging, of the jets in the Galactic microquasar SS433 interacting with enhanced wind-outflow off the accretion disk that surrounds the black hole in this system. Radiant quantities of gas are transported significant distances away from the black hole approximately perpendicular to the accretion disk from which the wind emanates. We suggest that the material that comprised the resulting 'bow-tie' structure is associated with a major flare that the system exhibited 10 months prior to the observations. During this flare, excess matter was expelled by the accretion disk as an enhanced wind, which in turn is 'snow-ploughed', or propelled, out by the much faster jets that move at approximately a quarter of the speed of light. Successive instances of such bow-ties may be responsible for the large-scale X-ray cones observed within the W50 nebula by ROSAT.

Availability note (English)

Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/2041-8205/735/1/L7

Additional details

Identifiers

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Astrophysical Journal Letters
Journal Volume
735
Journal Issue
1
Journal Page Range
[4 p.]
ISSN
2041-8205

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
43040394
Subject category
S79: ASTROPHYSICS, COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY;
Descriptors DEI
ACCRETION DISKS; BLACK HOLES; JETS; QUASARS; WIND
Descriptors DEC
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES