Proposal code

w305

Proposal title

Toroidal B Fields in BL Lac Objects

The

Investigators and their

Affiliations

P.I. D. C. Gabuzda JIVE, The Netherlands
A. B. Pushkarev Astro Space Center, Russia
N. N. Garnich Sternberg Astronomical Institute, Russia

Proposal Abstract

Our previous HALCA + VLBA + Effelsberg space VLBI polarization observations revealed a twisted jet structure in the BL Lacertae object 1803+784, with the magnetic field transverse all along the jet. This may mean that we are seeing a series of relativistic shocks along the jet, each of which enhances the local transverse magnetic field. However, it is perhaps more likely that we have detected a toroidal magnetic field associated with the VLBI jet. We propose here additional VSOP polarization observations of 1803+784 and new observations of two other BL Lac objects, in order to further study the nature of the possibly toroidal field in 1803+784 and attempt to identify other AGN whose jets have toroidal B fields on parsec scales.

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 AO3 proposals were submitted in October 1999, 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.