What is a radio galaxy? What is a double radio source? Why do astronomers think these objects may be related to radioloud quasars?

Short Answer

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A radio galaxy is an active galaxy that is very luminous at radio wavelengths, with large, bi-lobed radio structures. A double radio source or Double Radio Source Active Galactic Nuclei (DRAGN) refers to objects that have a pair of symmetrical 'lobes' or 'hotspots' of radio frequency radiation. They are thought to be powered by supermassive black holes in the centers of those galaxies. These might be related to radio loud quasars because they all show signs of active galactic nuclei with powerful jets of particles that create lobes and these jets are thought to result from processes close to a supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy. Based on orientation, they might be observed differently and thus are oriented versions of the same parent population.

Step by step solution

01

Defining Radio Galaxy

A radio galaxy is a type of active galaxy that is very luminous at radio wavelengths, with an excess of radio emission. They are characterized by their large, bi-lobed radio structures extending well beyond the size of the host galaxy, emanating from a central active galactic nucleus (AGN).
02

Defining Double Radio Source

Double radio sources, often referred to as Double Radio Source Active Galactic Nuclei (DRAGN), are objects with a pair of symmetrical 'lobes' or 'hotspots' of radio frequency radiation, usually seen at great distances from the central galaxy. They are thought to be powered by matter falling into supermassive black holes in the centers of those galaxies.
03

Relation of these objects to Radio Loud Quasars

Radio galaxies and double radio sources might be related to radio loud quasars because both of them are active galactic nuclei and have similar large-scale structures - powerful jets of particles that create lobes extending far beyond the galaxy. These jets are thought to result from processes close to a supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy. In some configurations when the jet is directed towards us, it's been observed as a quasar, indicating that we might be observing the same type of objects but from different angles. Therefore, they can be considered as oriented versions of the same parent population.

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