STScI Preprint #1328

Optical and Radio Polarimetry of the M87 Jet at 0.2" Resolution

We discuss optical (HST/WFPC2 F555W) and radio (15 GHz VLA) polarimetry observations of the M87 jet taken during 1994-1995. The angular resolution of both of these observations is ~ 0.2", which at the distance of M87 corresponds to 15 pc. Many knot regions are very highly polarized (~ 40-50%, approaching the theoretical maximum for optically thin synchrotron radiation), suggesting highly ordered magnetic fields. High degrees of polarization are also observed in interknot regions. The optical and radio polarization maps share many similarities, and in both, the magnetic field is largely parallel to the jet, except in the "shock-like" knot regions (parts of HST-1, A, and C), where it becomes perpendicular to the jet.

We do observe significant differences between the radio and optical polarized structures, particularly for bright knots in the inner jet, giving us important insight into the radial structure of the jet. Unlike in the radio, the optical magnetic field position angle becomes perpendicular to the jet at the upstream ends of knots HST-1, D, E and F. Moreover, the optical polarization appears to decrease markedly at the position of the flux maxima in these knots. In contrast, the magnetic field position angle observed in the radio remains parallel to the jet in most of these regions, and the decreases in radio polarization are smaller. More minor differences are seen in other jet regions. Many of the differences between optical and radio polarimetry results can be explained in terms of a model whereby shocks occur in the jet interior, where higher-energy electrons are concentrated and dominate both polarized and unpolarized emissions in the optical, while the radio maps show strong contributions from lower-energy electrons in regions with B parallel, near the jet surface.

Status:

Appeared in: The Astronomical Journal

Affiliations:

Space Telescope Science Institute, 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218