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| Paper: |
Prospects for Observing Quasar Jets with the Space Interferometry Mission PlanetQuest |
| Volume: |
386, Extragalactic Jets: Theory and Observation from Radio to Gamma Ray |
| Page: |
265 |
| Authors: |
Wehrle, A.E.; Unwin, S.C. |
| Abstract: |
The Space Interferometry Mission PlanetQuest will be an optical spaceborne Michelson interferometer with a 9-meter science baseline. Astrometry accuracy in a single visit is about 1 microarcsecond for bright stars. The faint target limit is roughly V = 19. It will produce an all-sky grid of reference stars to an accuracy of 4 microarcseconds, tied to the International Celestial reference Frame using quasars. We will be able to measure internal motions of parsec-scale radio jets at the few microarcsecond level, using repeated differential measurements. Astrometric positions shifts as a function of color will help distinguish between models of the contributions of a jet and an accretion disk to the optical emission. We will also search for evidence of binary black holes in such objects as OJ 287 by detecting orbital motion. The Asiago-ESO/ROSAT All Sky Survey provides a large, comprehensive list of bright AGN from which targets accessible to SIM may be selected by observers. |
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