Skip to content

Obscuration of the Parsec Scale Jets in the Compact Symmetric Object 1946+708

A. B. Peck, G. B. Taylor, J. E. Conway

astro-pharXiv:astro-ph/9811386

Abstract

We present results of VLA and VLBA observations of the 1.420 GHz neutral hydrogen absorption associated with the Compact Symmetric Object 1946+708 (z=0.101). We find significant structure in the gas on parsec scales. The peak column density in the HI (NHI~2.2x1023 cm-2 (Ts/8000K)) occurs toward the center of activity of the source, as does the highest velocity dispersion (FWHM~350 ). In addition, we find that the continuum spectra of the various radio components associated with these jets strongly indicate free-free absorption. This effect is particularly pronounced toward the core and inner components of the receding jet, suggesting the presence of a screen local to the source, perhaps part of an obscuring torus.

Create a lesson