Radio Galaxy Zoo Talk

Lots of IR

  • gloryless by gloryless

    There is a huge amount of IR behind these jets. Should the IR source just be between them?

    Posted

  • JeanTate by JeanTate in response to gloryless's comment.

    Welcome to Radio Galaxy Zoo, gloryless! 😃

    If this is a typical #doublelobe, then yes, the galaxy containing the SMBH (supermassive black hole) from around which the jets of plasma originate (that show up as radio jets/lobes in radio FIRST images) should be close to the mid-point between the two lobes.

    However, if that galaxy is relatively faint or is a long way away - has a redshift greater than ~1, say - then it won't emit enough IR for it to have been detected by WISE, and so will not show up in this image (the 'huge amount of IR' is due to a bright star (below) and - likely - a nearby galaxy (to the left)).

    Happy hunting! 😄

    Posted