GMVA16B-113

Imaging of the Gamma-Ray Emitting Regions of Blazar Jets

Abstract

We propose to image 10 gamma-ray bright and active blazars at 3 mm during the GMVA sessions in autumn 2016 and spring 2017. The same objects are monitored monthly with the VLBA at 7 mm to follow the time evolution of the jet and continuously at gamma-ray energies with Fermi as well as at intermediate wavebands with a wide variety of instruments. The primary goal is to relate the high-energy emission to physical conditions and structures in the mm-wave core region. We will accomplish this by total and polarized intensity imaging with angular resolution of about 50 microarcsec. The 3 mm images will (1) probe the core region where opacity and limited resolution make this difficult at 7 mm, (2) provide angular sizes of the most compact features for determining physical parameters, and (3) measure the polarization of the core and inner jet at 86 GHz, which can be compared with those at 43 GHz (VLBA).

Investigators

Name	Institution
Alan Marscher *	Boston University
Thomas Krichbaum	Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie
Mason Keck	Boston University
Jose L. Gomez	Andalucía, Instituto de Astrofísica de
Svetlana Jorstad	Boston University
Pablo Galindo	Andalucía, Instituto de Astrofísica de
Jeffrey Hodgson	Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie; Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute
Ivan Agudo	Boston University; Joint Institute for Very Long Baseline Interferometry European Research Infrastructure Consortium; Andalucía, Instituto de Astrofísica de; Andalucía, Instituto de Astrofísica de
Michael Bremer	Institut de Radio Astronomique Millimétrique
Bong Won Sohn	Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute
Carolina Casadio	Andalucía, Instituto de Astrofísica de; Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie; Foundation for Research & Technology - Hellas
Jae-Young Kim	Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie; Kyungpook National University
Bindu Rani	Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie
GBT Operator	Green Bank Observatory

* indicates the PI