The extreme flare in III Zw 2: evolution of a radio jet in a Seyfert galaxy

The extreme flare in III Zw 2: evolution of a radio jet in a Seyfert galaxy

2005 | Brunthaler, A.; Falcke, H.D.E.; Bower, G.C.; Aller, M.F.; Aller, H.D.; Teraesranta, H.
This paper presents a detailed monitoring of a radio flare in the Seyfert I galaxy III Zw 2 using the Very Large Array (VLA) and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA. The observations, conducted over a period of several years, provide precise relative astrometry and allow for the study of the spectral and spatial evolution of the source. The results show that the jet in III Zw 2 undergoes a phase of frustration, followed by a period of expansion with superluminal motion, accompanied by strong spectral evolution. This behavior is consistent with synchrotron self-absorption and equipartition models for jets. The findings confirm the hypothesis that radio-intermediate quasars (RIQs) are relativistically boosted radio-weak quasars or radio-weak blazars, suggesting that most radio-quiet quasars also have relativistic jets. The unique and simple structure and timescales of the radio outbursts in III Zw 2 make it an ideal source for studying the evolution of radio jets. The paper discusses the extended emission, variability, spectral evolution, and structural evolution of the source, providing insights into the interaction between the jet and the interstellar medium.This paper presents a detailed monitoring of a radio flare in the Seyfert I galaxy III Zw 2 using the Very Large Array (VLA) and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA. The observations, conducted over a period of several years, provide precise relative astrometry and allow for the study of the spectral and spatial evolution of the source. The results show that the jet in III Zw 2 undergoes a phase of frustration, followed by a period of expansion with superluminal motion, accompanied by strong spectral evolution. This behavior is consistent with synchrotron self-absorption and equipartition models for jets. The findings confirm the hypothesis that radio-intermediate quasars (RIQs) are relativistically boosted radio-weak quasars or radio-weak blazars, suggesting that most radio-quiet quasars also have relativistic jets. The unique and simple structure and timescales of the radio outbursts in III Zw 2 make it an ideal source for studying the evolution of radio jets. The paper discusses the extended emission, variability, spectral evolution, and structural evolution of the source, providing insights into the interaction between the jet and the interstellar medium.
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