Authors:
Gómez J.-L., Marscher A.P., Alberdi A., Gabuzda D.C.
Abstract:
We present two-epoch polarimetric images of the BL Lac object 0735 + 178 obtained with the Very Long Baseline Array at 22 and 43 GHz. These images provide the highest resolution observations of this source to date and show a twisted jet with two sharp apparent bends of 90° within 2 mas of the core. The magnetic field appears to smoothly follow one of the bends in the jet, suggesting that this structure may be the result of a precessing nozzle in the jet of 0735 + 178. Proper-motion information is not conclusive as to whether the twisted geometry is the result of knots moving ballistically or following the direction of the jet axis.
Keywords:
Galaxies: active; Galaxies: jets; Polarization; Radio continuum: galaxies; Techniques: interferometric