A series of VLBI images of SS433 during the outbursts in May/June 1987

Six high-quality VLBI images of SS 433 at a resolution of 10 milliarcseconds have been obtained at two-day intervals. The data are in excellent agreement with optically derived parameters of the so-called kinematic model: nodding motion, light travel-time effects, and Doppler boosting are clearly de...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin) 1993-03, Vol.270 (1-2), p.177-188
Main Authors: VERMEULEN, R. C, SCHILIZZI, R. T, SPENCER, R. E, ROMNEY, J. D, FEJES, I
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomy
Binary and multiple stars
Earth, ocean, space
Eclipsing binaries
Exact sciences and technology
Stars
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Summary:Six high-quality VLBI images of SS 433 at a resolution of 10 milliarcseconds have been obtained at two-day intervals. The data are in excellent agreement with optically derived parameters of the so-called kinematic model: nodding motion, light travel-time effects, and Doppler boosting are clearly detected in the VLBI images. We measure a distance to SS 433 of 4.85 +/- 0.2 kpc. Most 5 GHz radio emission originates on size scales larger than about 10 exp 13 m. The images are consistent with intrinsically symmetric emission from the twin jets. Radio flares originate in or near the core of the system as well as in knots further away in the jets. We confirm earlier observations that such knots brighten while moving out to about 250 AU from the binary system, and that they fade rapidly at larger distances. We also discuss evidence for continuous ejection in the jets of SS 433 and show that about 100 AU winglike protrusions from the core are consistently present in all 6-cm images of SS 433. Material ejected from SS 433 may brighten and fade twice.
ISSN:0004-6361
1432-0746