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| Paper: |
The Compact Structure of Blazars at High Frequencies |
| Volume: |
402, Approaching Micro-Arcsecond Resolution with VSOP-2: Astrophysics and Technologies |
| Page: |
194 |
| Authors: |
Marscher, A. |
| Abstract: |
VSOP-2 will provide a quantum leap in angular resolution at 43 GHz. Whether we can make use of this technological breakthrough depends critically on whether everything from the core of the jet to the central engine is opaque at this frequency. I argue that current data from the VLBA indicate that the core is often a physical structure rather than the location in the jet where the optical depth becomes unity. New superluminal knots identified by their polarization position angle are sometimes seen upstream in 43 GHz VLBA images. X-ray and γ-ray flares in BL Lac occur both as a knot propagates down a region with helical magnetic field and when it passes through the core. This bodes very well for the ability of VSOP-2 to explore the most interesting regions of blazar jets. |
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