Abstract
The polarization structure of synchrotron sources provides information about the magnetic field structure and thermal particle distributions near the source. Such information is critical to a full understanding of compact sources in the nuclei of galaxies and quasars. VLBI maps of these objects are frequently interpreted as showing jets even though the maps are dominated by a few bright regions. If these sources do indeed contain jets then the jet should have a relatively well-ordered component of the magnetic field. The presence of this ordered magnetic field, as well as the presence of thermal plasma in and around the jet, should be revealed by the polarized radiation. We present below the results of the first successful VLBI measurements of the polarized emission from an extragalactic compact radio source.
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© 1982 IAU
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Cotton, W.D., Geldzahler, B.J., Shapiro, I.I. (1982). Polarization of the Compact Radio Structure of 3C 454.3. In: Heeschen, D.S., Wade, C.M. (eds) Extragalactic Radio Sources. International Astronomical Union / Union Astronomique Internationale, vol 97. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7781-5_81
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7781-5_81
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-009-7783-9
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-7781-5
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