Skip to main content
Log in

Instabilities in astrophysical jets

  • Published:
Astrophysics and Space Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The observed properties of astrophysical jets are reviewed, and the techniques used to estimate the parameters of the underlying beams are described. This information is then used in a theoretical treatement of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability of the flows, and the relevance of this instability to the persistence of the observed structures is emphasised.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Achterberg, A., 1982. A&A, 114, 233

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnaud, K.A., Fabian, A.C., Eales, S.A., Jones, C. & Forman, W., 1984. MNRAS, 211, 981

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailyn, C.D., Orosz, J.A., Girard, T.M., Jogee, S., della Valle, M., Begam, M.C., Fruchter, A.S., González, R., Ianna, P.A., Layden, A.C., Martins, D.H. & Smith, M., 1995. Nature, 374, 701

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailyn, C.D., Orosz, J.A., McClintock, J.E. & Remillard, R.A., 1995. Nature, 378, 157

    Google Scholar 

  • Bally, J. & Devine, D., 1994. ApJ, 428, L65

    Google Scholar 

  • Balsara, D.S. & Norman, M.L., 1992, ApJ, 393, 631

    Google Scholar 

  • Barsony, M., Scoville, N.Z. & Chandler, C.J., 1993, ApJ, 409, 275

    Google Scholar 

  • Begelman, M.C., Rees, M.J. & Blandford, R.D., 1979. Nature, 279, 770

    Google Scholar 

  • Benford, G., 1981. ApJ, 247, 792

    Google Scholar 

  • Bicknell, G.V., 1984, InPhysics of energy transport in extragalactic radio sources, eds. Bridle, A.H. & Eilek, J.A. (NRAO: Green Bank, WV) p. 229

    Google Scholar 

  • Biretta, J.A. & Meisenheimer, K., 1993. InJets in Extragalactic Radio Sources, 159; eds. Röser, H.-J. & Meisenheimer, K.; Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Birkinshaw, M., 1984. MNRAS, 208, 887

    Google Scholar 

  • Birkinshaw, M., 1991. MNRAS, 252, 505

    Google Scholar 

  • Birkinshaw, M., Ho, P.T.P., Reid, M.J. & Zheng, X.W., 1995. In preparation

  • Birkinshaw, M. & Worrall, D.M., 1991. ApJ, 412, 568

    Google Scholar 

  • Blake, G.M., 1972. MNRAS, 156, 67

    Google Scholar 

  • Blandford, R.D. & Eichler, D., 1987. Phys. Rep., 154, 1

    Google Scholar 

  • Blandford, R.D. & Icke, V., 1978. MNRAS, 185, 527

    Google Scholar 

  • Blandford, R.D. & Rees, M.J., 1974. MNRAS, 169, 395

    Google Scholar 

  • Blandford, R.D. & Pringle, J.E., 1976. MNRAS, 176, 443

    Google Scholar 

  • Blondin, J.M., Fryxell, B.A. & Königl, A., 1990. ApJ, 360, 370

    Google Scholar 

  • Blumen, W., Drazin, P.G. & Billings, D.F., 1975. J. Fluid Mech., 71, 305

    Google Scholar 

  • Bodo, G., Rosner, R., Ferrari, A. & Knobloch, E., 1989. ApJ, 341, 631

    Google Scholar 

  • Burbidge, G.R., 1956. ApJ, 124, 416

    Google Scholar 

  • Burns, J.O., 1984, InPhysics of energy transport in extragalactic radio sources, eds. Bridle, A.H. & Eilek, J.A. (NRAO: Green Bank, WV), p. 25

    Google Scholar 

  • Burns, R.L. & Lovelace, R.V.E., 1982. Ap. J., 262, 87

    Google Scholar 

  • Carilli, C.L., Perley, R.A. & Dreher, J.W., 1988. ApJ, 334, L73

    Google Scholar 

  • Carilli, C.L., Bartel, N. & Diamond, P., 1994. AJ, 108, 64

    Google Scholar 

  • Carilli, C.L., Perley, R.A., Leahy, J.P. & Dreher, J.W., 1991, ApJ, 383, 554

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandrasekhar, S., 1961,Hydrodynamic and Hydromagnetic Stability, (Oxford University Press: Oxford)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chernin, L.M. & Masson, C.R., 1995. ApJ, 443, 181

    Google Scholar 

  • Cioffi, D.F. & Blondin, J.M., 1992. ApJ, 392, 458

    Google Scholar 

  • Cioffi, D.F. & Jones, T.W., 1980. AJ, 85, 368

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, D.A., Burns, J.O. & Feigelson, E.D., 1986. ApJ, 300, L41

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, D.A., Norman, M.L. & Burns, J.O., 1986. ApJ, 311, L63

    Google Scholar 

  • Clemmow, P.C. & Dougherty, J.P., 1969.Electrodynamics of Particles and Plasmas, (Addison-Wesley: Reading, MA)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, M.H. & Readhead, A.C.S., 1979. ApJ, 233, L101

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohn, H., 1983. ApJ, 269, 500

    Google Scholar 

  • Conway, R.G., Garrington, S.T., Perley, R.A. & Biretta, J.A., 1993. A&A, 267, 347

    Google Scholar 

  • Curtis, H.D., 1918. Lick Obs. Publ., 13, 11

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, D.S., Mushotzky, R.F., Mulchaey, J.S., Worrall, D.M., Birkinshaw, M. & Burstein, D., 1995. ApJ, 444, 582

    Google Scholar 

  • De Young, D.S., 1991, ApJ, 371, 69

    Google Scholar 

  • De Young, D.S., 1984. InPhysics of energy transport in extragalactic radio sources, eds. Bridle, A.H. & Eilek, J.A. (NRAO: Green Bank, WV), p. 202

    Google Scholar 

  • Drazin, P.G. & Davey, H., 1977. J Fl. Mech., 82, 255

    Google Scholar 

  • Drazin, P.G. & Reid, W.H., 1981.Hydrodynamic Stability, (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dreher, J.W., Carilli, C.L. & Perley, R.A., 1987. ApJ, 316, 611

    Google Scholar 

  • Drury, L.O'C., 1983. Rep. Prog. Phys., 46, 973

    Google Scholar 

  • Eilek, J.A., 1982. ApJ, 254, 472

    Google Scholar 

  • Ershkovich, A.J., 1980. Sp. Sci. Rev., 25, 3

    Google Scholar 

  • Fanaroff, B.L. & Riley, J.M., 1974. MNRAS, 167, 31P

  • Ferrari, A., Massaglia, S. & Trussoni, E., 1982. MNRAS, 198, 1065

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrari, A., Trussoni, E. & Zaninetti, L., 1978. A&A, 64, 43

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrari, A., Trussoni, E. & Zaninetti, L., 1979. A&A, 79, 190

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrari, A., Trussoni, E. & Zaninetti, L., 1980. MNRAS, 193, 469

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrari, A., Trussoni, E. & Zaninetti, L., 1981. MNRAS, 196, 1051

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiedler, R.L., 1986. ApJ, 305, 100

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiedler, R.L. & Jones, T., 1984. ApJ, 283, 532

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford, H.C., Harms, R.J., Tsvetanov, Z.I., Hartig, G.F., Dressel, L.L., Kriss, G.A., Bohlin, R.C., Davidsen, A.F., Margon, B. & Kochhar, A.J., 1994. ApJ, 435, L27

    Google Scholar 

  • Forman, W. & Jones, C., 1982. ARAA, 20, 547

    Google Scholar 

  • Fridlund, C.V.M. & Liseau, R., 1994. A&A, 292, 631

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill, A.E., 1965. Phys. Fluids, 8, 1428

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, A.A., Crutcher, R.C., Heiles, C., Myers, P.C. & Troland, T.H., 1989. ApJ, 338, L61

    Google Scholar 

  • Gouveia Dal Pino, E.M. & Benz, W., 1993. ApJ, 410, 686

    Google Scholar 

  • Gouveia Dal Pino, E.M., Birkinshaw, M. & Benz, W., 1995. ApJ, submitted

  • Hardee, P.E., 1979. ApJ, 234, 47

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardee, P.E., 1981. ApJ, 250, L9

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardee, P.E., 1982. ApJ, 257, 509

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardee, P.E., 1983. ApJ, 269, 94

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardee, P.E., 1984. ApJ, 287, 523

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardee, P.E., 1986. ApJ, 303, 111

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardee, P.E., 1987a. ApJ, 313, 607

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardee, P.E., 1987b. ApJ, 318, 78

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardee, P.E. & Clarke, D.A., 1992. ApJ, 400, L9

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardee, P.E. & Norman, M.L., 1988. ApJ, 334, 70

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardee, P.E. & Norman, M.L., 1989. ApJ, 342, 680

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardee, P.E. & Norman, M.L., 1990, ApJ, 365, 134

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardee, P.E., White, R.E., Norman, M.L., Cooper, M.A. & Clarke, D.A., 1992. ApJ, 387, 460

    Google Scholar 

  • Harms, R.J., Ford, H.C., Tsvetanov, Z.I., Hartig, G.F., Dressel, L.L., Kriss, G.A., Bohlin, R.C., Davidsen, A.F., Margon, B. & Kochhar, A.J., 1994. ApJ, 435, L35

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, D.E. & Stern, C.P., 1987. ApJ, 313, 136

    Google Scholar 

  • Henriksen, R.N., 1987. ApJ, 314, 33

    Google Scholar 

  • Hester, J.et al., 1995. NASA press release, 6 June 1995

  • Hjellming, R.M. & Johnston, K.J., 1988. ApJ, 328, 600

    Google Scholar 

  • Hjellming, R.M. & Rupen, M.P., 1995. Nature, 375, 464

    Google Scholar 

  • Ho, C.M. & Huerre, P., 1984. Ann. Rev. Fluid Mech., 16, 365

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, P.A. (ed.), 1991.Beams and Jets in Astrophysics, (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, P.A., Aller, H.D. & Aller, M.F., 1985. ApJ, 298, 301

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, T.W. & O'Dell, S.L., 1977. ApJ, 214, 522

    Google Scholar 

  • Junor, W. & Biretta, J.A., 1995. AJ, 109, 500

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, K.-T., Kronberg, P.P., Dewdney, P.E. & Landecker, T.L., 1986. InRadio Continuum Processes in Clusters of Galaxies, eds. O'Dea, C.P. & Uson, J.M. (NRAO: Green Bank)a

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirk, J.G. 1994. InPlasma Astrophysics, Saas-Fee 24, eds. Benz, A.O. & Courvoisier, T.J.-L. (Springer-Verlag: Berlin)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kochhar, R.K. & Trehan, S.K., 1988. MNRAS, 234, 123

    Google Scholar 

  • Königl, A., 1980. Phys. Fluids, 23, 1083a

    Google Scholar 

  • Laing, R.A., 1980. MNRAS, 193, 439

    Google Scholar 

  • Laing, R.A., 1981. Ap. J., 248, 87

    Google Scholar 

  • Laing, R.A., 1984. InPhysics of energy transport in extragalactic radio sources, eds. Bridle, A.H. & Eilek, J.A. (NRAO: Green Bank, WV)

    Google Scholar 

  • Laing, R.A. & Bridle, A.H., 1987. MNRAS, 228, 557

    Google Scholar 

  • Landau, L.D. & Lifshitz, E.M., 1959.Fluid Mechanics: Pergamon Press

  • Leahy, J.P., 1984. MNRAS, 208, 323

    Google Scholar 

  • Leahy, J.P., 1991. InBeams and Jets in Astrophysics; ed. Hughes, P.A. (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lerche, I. & Wiita, P.J., 1980. Ap. Sp. Sci., 68, 207

    Google Scholar 

  • Linfield, R., 1985. ApJ, 295, 463

    Google Scholar 

  • Loken, C., Burns, J.O., Clarke, D.A. & Norman, M.L., 1992. ApJ, 392, 54

    Google Scholar 

  • Margon, B., 1984. ARAA, 22, 507

    Google Scholar 

  • Misner, C.W., Thorne, K.S. & Wheeler, J.A., 1973. Gravitation, (Freeman: San Fransisco)

    Google Scholar 

  • Morabito, D.D., Preston, R.A. & Jauncey, D.I., 1988. AJ, 95, 1037

    Google Scholar 

  • Moriarty-Schieven, G.H. & Snell, R.L., 1988. ApJ, 332, 364

    Google Scholar 

  • Mundt, R. & Fried, J., 1983. ApJ, 274, L83

    Google Scholar 

  • Nepveu, M., 1982a. A&A, 105, 15

    Google Scholar 

  • Nepveu, M., 1982b. A&A, 112, 223

    Google Scholar 

  • Norman, M.L. & Hardee, P.E., 1988. ApJ, 334, 80

    Google Scholar 

  • Norman, M.L., Smarr, L., Winkler, K.-H.A. & Smith, M.D., 1982. A&A, 113, 285

    Google Scholar 

  • Norman, M.L., Winkler, K.-H.A. & Smarr, L.L., 1983. InAstrophysical Jets, eds. Ferrari, A. & Pacholczyk, A.G. (Reidel: Dordrecht, Holland), p. 227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norman, M.L., Winkler, K.-H.A. & Smarr, L., 1984. InPhysics of energy transport in extragalactic radio sources, eds. Bridle, A.H. & Eilek, J.A. (NRAO: Green Bank, WV), p. 150

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Dea, C.P. & Owen, F.N., 1986. ApJ, 301, 841

    Google Scholar 

  • Owen, F.N., Hardee, P.E. & Cornwell, T.J., 1989. ApJ, 340, 698

    Google Scholar 

  • Payne, D.G. & Cohn, H., 1985. ApJ, 291, 655

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearson, T.J., Unwin, S.C., Cohen, M.H., Linfield, R.P., Readhead, A.C.S., Seielstad, G.A., Simon, R.S. & Walker, R.C., 1981. Nature, 290, 365

    Google Scholar 

  • Perley, R.A., Bridle, A.H. & Willis, A.G., 1984a. ApJS, 54, 291

    Google Scholar 

  • Perley, R.A., Dreher, J.W. & Cowan, J., 1984b. ApJ, 285, L35

    Google Scholar 

  • Perley, R.A., Willis, A.G. & Scott, J.S., 1979. Nature, 281, 437

    Google Scholar 

  • Ray, T.P., 1981. MNRAS, 196, 195

    Google Scholar 

  • Ray, T.P., 1982. MNRAS, 198, 617

    Google Scholar 

  • Ray, T.P. & Ershkovich, A.I., 1983. MNRAS, 204, 821

    Google Scholar 

  • Rees, M.J., 1971. Nature, 229, 312 and 510

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, M.J., Biretta, J.A., Junor, W., Muxlow, T.W.B. & Spencer, R.E., 1989. ApJ, 336, 112

    Google Scholar 

  • Reipurth, B., Bally, J., Graham, J.A., Lane, A.P. & Zealey, W.J., 1986. A&A, 164, 51

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, B., 1987. ApJ, 318, 590

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, F.A., Dimotakis, P.E. & Roshko, A., 1982. InAlbum of Fluid Motions, ed, A. Van Dyke, (Parabolic Press: Stanford, California)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez, L.F., Canto, J., Torrelles, J.M. & Ho, P.T.P., 1986. ApJ, 301, L25

    Google Scholar 

  • Roy Choudhury, S. & Lovelace, R.V.E., 1984. ApJ, 283, 331

    Google Scholar 

  • Roy Choudhury, S. & Lovelace, R.V.E., 1986. ApJ, 302, 188

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudnick, L. & Edgar, B.K., 1984. ApJ, 279, 74

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarazin, C., 1986. Rev. Mod. Phys., 58, 1

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheuer, P.A.G., 1974. MNRAS, 166, 513

    Google Scholar 

  • Seward, F., Grindlay, J., Seaquist, E. & Gilmore, W., 1980. Nature, 287, 806

    Google Scholar 

  • Snell, R.L. & Schloerb, F.P., 1985. ApJ, 295, 490

    Google Scholar 

  • Spitzer, L., 1962. Physics of fully ionized gases, (Interscience: New York)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, P., 1971. Ap. Sp. Sci., 14, 261

    Google Scholar 

  • Stocke, J.T., Hartigan, P.M., Strom, S.E., Strom, K.M., Anderson, E.R., Hartmann, L.W. & Kenyon, S.J., 1988. ApJS, 68, 229

    Google Scholar 

  • Synge, J.L., 1957.The Relativistic Gas (North-Holland Publ. Co.: Amsterdam)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomson, R.C., Mackay, C.D. & Wright, A.E., 1993. Nature, 365, 133

    Google Scholar 

  • Trussoni, E., Massaglia, S., Bodo, G. & Ferrari, A., 1988. MNRAS, 234, 539

    Google Scholar 

  • Turland, B.D. & Scheuer, P.A.G., 1976. MNRAS, 176, 421

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermeulen, R.C., Schilizzi, R.T., Spencer, R.E., Romney, J.D. & Fejes, I., 1993. A&A, 270, 177

    Google Scholar 

  • Waggett, P.C., Warner, P.J. & Baldwin, J.E., 1977. MNRAS, 181, 465

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, M.G., Willingale, R., Grindlay, J.E. & Seward, F.D., 1983. ApJ, 273, 688

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiita, P.J. & Norman, M.L., 1992. ApJ, 385, 478

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiita, P.J., Rosen, A. & Norman, M.L., 1990. ApJ, 350, 545

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, A.G., 1991. InBeams and Jets in Astrophysics, (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge)

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, A.G. & Gull, S.F., 1984. Nature, 310, 33

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, A.G. & Gull, S.F., 1985. Nature, 313, 34

    Google Scholar 

  • Wirth, A., Smarr, L. & Gallagher, J.S., 1982. AJ, 87, 602

    Google Scholar 

  • Worrall, D.M. & Birkinshaw, M., 1994. ApJ, 427, 134

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaninetti, L., 1986a. A&A, 156, 194

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaninetti, L., 1986b. A&A, 160, 135

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaninetti, L. & Van Horn, H.M., 1988. A&A, 189, 45

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Birkinshaw, M. Instabilities in astrophysical jets. Astrophys Space Sci 242, 17–91 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00645111

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00645111

Key words

Navigation