3C 130

VLA 20 cm map of radio source 3C 130, an elliptical galaxy in a distant cluster emitting two oppositely-directed narrow "jets" of radio emission from a small bright source in its nucleus. Such "twin-jet" sources are thought to arise when violent events in the nuclei of galaxies cause streams of particles moving almost at the velocity of light to break out of dense gas layers close to the center of the galaxy. Twin-jet nature of the sources may reflect flattened form of gas distribution in orbital motion around a central black hole in galactic nucleus. Studies of such jets at the VLA give clues to nature of energy transport from active central regions of galaxies to distant radio structures. This map shows inner faint jets opening into gently curved lobes, with radio core in central spot.

The VLA was in the "construction" configuration, using 13 antennas.

Legacy Astronomical Images

NRAO/AUI/NSF does not hold full copyright for this image. Contact the archivist for details.

Legacy Astronomical Image

3C130

NRAO/AUI/NSF

E.B. Fomalont, R.A. Perley, A.H. Bridle, A.G. Willis

Very Large Array (VLA)

1979-03-00

continuum

RA 4:52:52.800, Dec: 52:4:47.000 (J2000)

0.055556 x 0.055556 degrees

Contact the archivist for a high resolution tif of this image.

Active Galactic Nuclei Series

Radio Galaxies Unit