ALBERT

Description: We present the results of 3D relativistic hydrodynamic simulations of interaction of active galactic nucleus jets with a dense turbulent two-phase interstellar medium, which would be typical of high-redshift galaxies. We describe the effect of the jet on the evolution of the density of the turbulent interstellar medium (ISM). The jet-driven energy bubble affects the gas to distances up to several kiloparsecs from the injection region. The shocks resulting from such interactions create a multiphase ISM and radial outflows. One of the striking result of this work is that low-power jets ( P jet 10 43 ergs –1 ), although less efficient in accelerating clouds, are trapped in the ISM for a longer time and hence affect the ISM over a larger volume. Jets of higher power drill through with relative ease. Although the relativistic jets launch strong outflows, there is little net mass ejection to very large distances, supporting a galactic fountain scenario for local feedback.

Description: Turbulent entrainment processes may play an important role in the outflows from young stellar objects at all stages of their evolution. In particular, lateral entrainment of ambient material by high-velocity, well-collimated protostellar jets may be the cause of the multiple emission-line velocity components observed in the microjet-scale outflows driven by classical T Tauri stars. Intermediate-velocity outflow components may be emitted by a turbulent, shock-excited mixing layer along the boundaries of the jet. We present a formalism for describing such a mixing layer based on Reynolds decomposition of quantities measuring fundamental properties of the gas. In this model, the molecular wind from large disc radii provides a continual supply of material for entrainment. We calculate the total stress profile in the mixing layer, which allows us to estimate the dissipation of turbulent energy, and hence the luminosity of the layer. We utilize mappings IV shock models to determine the fraction of total emission that occurs in [Fe ii ] 1.644 μm line emission in order to facilitate comparison to previous observations of the young stellar object DG Tauri. Our model accurately estimates the luminosity and changes in mass outflow rate of the intermediate-velocity component of the DG Tau approaching outflow. Therefore, we propose that this component represents a turbulent mixing layer surrounding the well-collimated jet in this object. Finally, we compare and contrast our model to previous work in the field.

Description: Magnetorotational turbulence provides a viable mechanism for angular momentum transport in accretion discs. We present global, three-dimensional (3D), magnetohydrodynamic accretion disc simulations that investigate the dependence of the turbulent stresses on resolution. Convergence in the time- and volume-averaged stress-to-gas-pressure ratio, $\overline{\langle \alpha _{\rm P}\rangle }$ , at a value of ~0.04, is found for a model with radial, vertical and azimuthal resolution of 12-51, 27 and 12.5 cells per scaleheight (the simulation mesh is such that cells per scaleheight varies in the radial direction). The gas pressure dependence of the quasi-steady state stress level is also examined using models with different scaleheight-to-radius aspect ratio ( H / R ), revealing a weak dependence of $\overline{\langle \alpha _{\rm P}\rangle }$ on pressure. A control volume analysis is performed on the main body of the disc (| z | 〈 2 H ) to examine the production and removal of magnetic energy. Maxwell stresses in combination with the mean disc rotation are mainly responsible for magnetic energy production, whereas turbulent dissipation (facilitated by numerical resistivity) predominantly removes magnetic energy from the disc. Re-casting the magnetic energy equation in terms of the power injected by Maxwell stresses on the boundaries of, and by Lorentz forces within, the control volume highlights the importance of the boundary conditions (of the control volume). The different convergence properties of shearing-box and global accretion disc simulations can be readily understood on the basis of choice of boundary conditions and the magnetic field configuration. Periodic boundary conditions restrict the establishment of large-scale gradients in the magnetic field, limiting the power that can be delivered to the disc by Lorentz forces and by stresses at the surfaces. The factor of 3 lower resolution required for convergence in 〈α P 〉 for our global disc models compared to stratified shearing-boxes is explained by this finding.

Description: We present the first stage of an investigation of the interactions of the jets in the radio galaxy Hydra A with the intracluster medium. We consider the jet kinetic power, the galaxy and cluster atmosphere and the inner structure of the radio source. Analysing radio observations of the inner lobes of Hydra A by Taylor et al. we confirm the jet power estimates ~10 45 erg s –1 derived by Wise et al. from dynamical analysis of the X-ray cavities. With this result and a model for the galaxy halo, we explore the jet–intracluster medium interactions occurring on a scale of 10 kpc using two-dimensional, axisymmetric, relativistic pure hydrodynamic simulations. A key feature is that we identify the three bright knots in the northern jet as biconical reconfinement shocks, which result when an overpressured jet starts to come into equilibrium with the galactic atmosphere. Through an extensive parameter space study we deduce that the jet velocity is approximately 0.8 c at a distance 0.5 kpc from the black hole. The combined constraints of jet power, the observed jet radius profile along the jet and the estimated jet pressure and jet velocity imply a value of the jet density parameter 13 for the northern jet. We show that for a jet β = 0.8 and = 42°, an intrinsic asymmetry in the emissivity of the northern and southern jet is required for a consistent brightness ratio 7 estimated from the 6-cm Very Large Array image of Hydra A.

Description: The origin of bipolar outflow asymmetry in young stellar objects (YSOs) remains poorly understood. It may be due to an intrinsically asymmetric outflow launch mechanism, or it may be caused by the effects of the ambient medium surrounding the YSO. Answering this question is an important step in understanding outflow launching. We have investigated the bipolar outflows driven by the T Tauri star DG Tauri on scales of hundreds of astronomical units, using the Near-infrared Integral Field Spectrograph on Gemini-North. The approaching outflow consists of a well-collimated jet, nested within a lower-velocity disc wind. The receding outflow is composed of a single-component bubble-like structure. We analyse the kinematics of the receding outflow using kinetic models, and determine that it is a quasi-stationary bubble with an expanding internal velocity field. We propose that this bubble forms because the receding counterjet from DG Tau is obstructed by a clumpy ambient medium above the circumstellar disc surface, based on similarities between this structure and those found in the modelling of active galactic nuclei outflows. We find evidence of interaction between the obscured counterjet and clumpy ambient material, which we attribute to the large molecular envelope around the DG Tau system. An analytical model of a momentum-driven bubble is shown to be consistent with our interpretation. We conclude that the bipolar outflow from DG Tau is intrinsically symmetric, and the observed asymmetries are due to environmental effects. This mechanism can potentially be used to explain the observed bipolar asymmetries in other YSO outflows.

Description: We present three-dimensional relativistic hydrodynamical simulations of a precessing jet interacting with the intracluster medium and compare the simulated jet structure with the observed structure of the Hydra A northern jet. For the simulations, we use jet parameters obtained in the parameter space study of the first paper in this series and probe different values for the precession period and precession angle. We find that for a precession period P 1 Myr and a precession angle 20°, the model reproduces (i) the curvature of the jet, (ii) the correct number of bright knots within 20 kpc at approximately correct locations and (iii) the turbulent transition of the jet to a plume. The Mach number of the advancing bow shock 1.85 is indicative of gentle cluster atmosphere heating during the early stages of the AGN's activity.

Description: Investigating the outflows emanating from young stellar objects (YSOs) on sub-arcsecond scales provides important clues to the nature of the underlying accretion–ejection process occurring near the central protostar. We have investigated the structures and kinematics of the outflows driven by the YSO DG Tauri, using the Near-infrared Integral Field Spectrograph (NIFS) on Gemini North. The blueshifted outflow shows two distinct components in [Fe ii ] 1.644 μm emission, which are separated using multicomponent line fitting. Jet parameters are calculated for the high-velocity component. A stationary recollimation shock is observed, in agreement with previous X-ray and far-ultraviolet observations. The presence of this shock indicates that the innermost streamlines of the high-velocity component are launched at a very small radius, 0.01–0.15 au, from the central star. The jet accelerates and expands downstream of the recollimation shock; the ‘acceleration’ is likely a sign of velocity variations in the jet. No evidence of rotation is found, and we compare this non-detection to previous counterclaims. Moving jet knots, likely the result of the jet velocity variations, are observed. One of these knots moves more slowly than previously observed knots, and the knot ejection interval appears to be non-periodic. An intermediate-velocity component surrounds this central jet, and is interpreted as the result of a turbulent mixing layer along the jet boundaries generated by lateral entrainment of material by the high-velocity jet. Lateral entrainment requires the presence of a magnetic field of strength a few mG or less at hundreds of au above the disc surface, which is argued to be a reasonable proposition. In H 2 1–0 S(1) 2.1218 μm emission, a wide-angle, intermediate-velocity blueshifted outflow is observed. Both outflows are consistent with being launched by a magnetocentrifugal disc wind, although an X-wind origin for the high-velocity jet cannot be ruled out. The redshifted outflow of DG Tau takes on a bubble-shaped morphology, which will be discussed in a future paper.