Linear and Circular Polarization from Sagittarius A and M81

We describe recent results for Sgr A*, M81* and other low luminosity active galactic nuclei. We have conducted linear and circular polarimetry over a frequency range of 1.4 to 230 GHz and detected a variety of phenomena. The polarization properties of the studied sources are substantially different...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Astrophysics and space science 2003-01, Vol.288 (1-2), p.69-76
Main Author: Bower, Geoffrey C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accretion
Astrophysics
Stars & galaxies
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Summary:We describe recent results for Sgr A*, M81* and other low luminosity active galactic nuclei. We have conducted linear and circular polarimetry over a frequency range of 1.4 to 230 GHz and detected a variety of phenomena. The polarization properties of the studied sources are substantially different from higher powered AGN. In the case of Sgr A*, we are able to eliminate ADAFs and Bondi-Hoyle flows as possible models based on mm λ polarimetry. Our success with Sgr A* demonstrates that we can learn about the nature of accretion and outflow in these sources with unprecedented detail. We may also develop probes of general relativity in the strong-field limit.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0004-640X
1572-946X
DOI:10.1023/B:ASTR.0000004995.36315.39