Large-scale, decelerating, relativistic x-ray jets from the microquasar XTE J1550-564
Corbel, S.; Fender, R.P.; Tzioumis, A.K.; Tomsick, J.A.; Orosz, J.A.; Miller, J.M.; Wijnands, R.; Kaaret, P.
Science 298(5591): 196-199
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 1095-9203 PMID: 12364800 DOI: 10.1126/science.1075857
Accession: 009895496
We have detected, at x-ray and radio wavelengths, large-scale moving jets from the microquasar XTE J1550-564. Plasma ejected from near the black hole traveled at relativistic velocities for at least 4 years. We present direct evidence for gradual deceleration in a relativistic jet. The broadband spectrum of the jets is consistent with synchrotron emission from high-energy (up to 10 tera-electron volts) particles that were accelerated in the shock waves formed within the relativistic ejecta or by the interaction of the jets with the interstellar medium. XTE J1550-564 offers a rare opportunity to study the dynamical evolution of relativistic jets on time scales inaccessible for active galactic nuclei jets, with implications for our understanding of relativistic jets from Galactic x-ray binaries and active galactic nuclei.