Proposal code

v093

Proposal title

Sub-milliarcsecond Polarization Structure in the Bent Jets of Gamma-Ray Blazars

The

Investigators and their

Affiliations

P.I. George A. Moellenbrock Brandeis University
David H. Roberts Brandeis University
John F. C. Wardle Brandeis University

Proposal Abstract

We propose to make 5 GHz (polarization-sensitive) and 22 GHz space VLBI observations of four gamma-ray blazars for which we have initiated high-frequency VLBA polarimetry studies. The sharply curving jet features evidenced in lower-resolution VLBI images suggest curving on even smaller scales and the possible existence of a helical jet structure. Combined with resolution-matched VLBA observations, the high-resolution images obtained will have profound implications for the basic arguments associated with the degree of core polarization and comparisons of jet component polarization position angle with local jet direction that have been made on the basis of lower resolution observations. These observations will characterize the existence and nature of jets bending on microarcsecond scales and address the possibility that detection of gamma-rays selects such sources.

The full Cover Sheets (compressed post-script, typically 50kbytes) can be retrieved. Note that many proposals were reduced in extent by the Scientific Review Committee (e.g. by reducing the number of experiments), however the Cover Sheets contain the full proposal as submitted. Also note that AO1 proposals were submitted in November 1995, and information such as affiliations and contact details has changed for some proposers since that time. The Cover Sheets (and the details on this page, which were derived from the Cover Sheets) may therefore have changed.