Simulations of Precessing Jets and the Formation of X-shaped Radio Galaxies

Abstract

Jet precession is sometimes invoked to explain asymmetries in radio galaxy (RG) jets and "X/S/Z-shape" radio galaxies, caused by the presence of a binary black hole companion to the source active galactic nucleus (AGN) or by accretion instabilities. We present a series of simulations of radio galaxy jet precession to examine how these sources would evolve over time, including a passive distribution of cosmic ray electrons (CRe) so we can model radio synchrotron emissions and create synthetic radio maps of the sources. We find that a single source viewed from different angles can result in differing RG morphological classifications, confusing physical implications of these classifications. Additionally, the jet trajectories can become unstable due to their own self-interactions and lead to "reorientation events" that may look like the effects of external dynamics such as shocks, winds, or cold fronts in the medium. Finally, something akin to an "Odd Radio Circle" may be observed in the case of viewing the radio remnant of such a precessing source from a line of sight near the precession axis.

12 pages, 5 figures, published in ApJ. Animated versions of the figures can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNl1xrpDmrjb0pcTUwSrTcgmpZrSYx81I

References in corpus (9)

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• Hydrodynamical Backflow in X-shaped Radio Galaxy PKS 2014-55
• MeerKAT uncovers the physics of an Odd Radio Circle
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• Jetted subgalactic-size radio sources in merging galaxies -- A jet redirection scenario
• Cosmological Zoom-In Simulation of Odd Radio Circles as Merger-Driven Shocks in Galaxy Groups
• From 100 MHz to 10 GHz: Unveiling the spectral evolution of the X-shaped radio galaxy in Abell 3670
• A precessing jet from an active galactic nucleus drives gas outflow from a disk galaxy
• Circular Mystery: Exploring Diffuse Emission Surrounding a Radio Galaxy with uGMRT and VLA Multiwavelength Observations
• Single- and double-headed odd radio circles in the LOFAR surveys