Radio Galaxy Zoo Talk

x shape

  • tcwang by tcwang

    what is the cause of this X shape radio pattern?

    Posted

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

    As 42jkb explained (in the Comments, to the left), the x-shaped structure could be the result of the environment (i.e. the group of galaxies the host is in, or the cluster of galaxies to which it belongs; or density variations in the inter-galactic medium; etc), or the pair of radio jets could be moving around, like an out-of-control garden hose.

    If the latter, this may be due to the jets precessing, somewhat like how the Earth's axis traces a circle in the sky (giving many different 'pole stars' over the centuries and millennia). I'm not sure if there's a robust explanation, yet, as to why some jets precess and others (most) do not.

    Hope this helps, and happy hunting! 😃

    Posted