GMVA17B-297

Imaging of the Gamma-Ray Emitting Regions of Blazar Jets

Abstract

We propose to image 12 gamma-ray bright, highly active blazars and radio galaxies at 3 mm during the GMVA session in autumn 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
GBT Operator Green Bank Observatory
Thomas Krichbaum Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie
Svetlana Jorstad Boston University
Mason Keck Boston University
Jae-Young Kim Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie; Kyungpook National University
Jose L. Gomez Andalucía, Instituto de Astrofísica de
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
Alan Marscher * Boston University
Carolina Casadio Andalucía, Instituto de Astrofísica de; Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie; Foundation for Research & Technology - Hellas
Bong Won Sohn Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute
Michael Bremer Institut de Radio Astronomique Millimétrique
Antonio Fuentes Andalucía, Instituto de Astrofísica de
Efthalia Traianou Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie; Köln, Universität zu; Andalucía, Instituto de Astrofísica de
Jeffrey Hodgson Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie; Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute

* indicates the PI