Observed Limits to the Circular Polarization of Nine Quasars at Radio Frequencies

Sciama and Rees 1 have suggested that the radio emission of compact quasars will show appreciable circular polarization (≳ 1 per cent) at frequencies greater than about 1,000 MHz. This suggestion is based on assumed magnetic fields within the variable components of these objects as large as 1 to 100...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 1968-04, Vol.218 (5136), p.73-73
Main Authors: KOMESAROFF, M. M, GARDNER, F. F, MORRIS, D, ROBERTS, J. A, WHITEOAK, J. B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Humanities and Social Sciences
letter
multidisciplinary
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
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Summary:Sciama and Rees 1 have suggested that the radio emission of compact quasars will show appreciable circular polarization (≳ 1 per cent) at frequencies greater than about 1,000 MHz. This suggestion is based on assumed magnetic fields within the variable components of these objects as large as 1 to 100 gauss. At 10.6 cm wavelength, Seielstad 2 has set upper limits of between 1 per cent and 3 per cent on the circular polarization of fourteen objects of which five are known to be quasars. We now report measurements of the circular polarization of nine quasars and thirty-seven radio galaxies and unidentified sources at frequencies of 437 MHz, 630 MHz and 1,410 MHz. In no case was any significant component of circular polarization detected.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/218073a0