Large-scale, decelerating, relativistic X-ray jets from the microquasar XTE J1550-564

Corbel, S., Fender, R.P., Tzioumis, A.K., Tomsick, J.A., Orosz, J.A., Miller, J.M., Wijnands, R. and Kaaret, P. (2002) Large-scale, decelerating, relativistic X-ray jets from the microquasar XTE J1550-564. Science, 298 (5991), 196-199. (doi:10.1126/science.1075857).

Abstract

We have detected, at x-ray and radio wavelengths, large-scale moving jets from the microquasar XTE J1550-564. Plasma ejected from near the black hole traveled at relativistic velocities for at least 4 years. We present direct evidence for gradual deceleration in a relativistic jet. The broadband spectrum of the jets is consistent with synchrotron emission from high-energy (up to 10 tera-electron volts) particles that were accelerated in the shock waves formed within the relativistic ejecta or by the interaction of the jets with the interstellar medium. XTE J1550-564 offers a rare opportunity to study the dynamical evolution of relativistic jets on time scales inaccessible for active galactic nuclei jets, with implications for our understanding of relativistic jets from Galactic x-ray binaries and active galactic nuclei.

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