Double-double radio galaxies: further insights into the formation of the radio structures

• Published in: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Vol. 410; no. 1; pp. 484 - 498
• Main Authors: Brocksopp, C., Kaiser, C. R., Schoenmakers, A. P., de Bruyn, A. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-01-2011; Wiley-Blackwell; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Astronomical bodies; Astronomy; Astrophysics; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; galaxies: active; galaxies: individual: B1450+333; galaxies: individual: B1834+620; galaxies: jets; ISM: jets and outflows; Radio; Radio astronomy; Radio galaxies; Star & galaxy formation; Stars & galaxies; galaxies: individual: B1450+333; ISM: jets and outflows; galaxies: jets; galaxies: active; galaxies: individual: B1834+620; galaxies: individual: B 1834+620; Radio galaxies; Hot spots; Relativistic electron; Shock front; galaxies: individual: B 1450+333; Active galaxies; Dynamical evolution; Double galaxies; Standard model; Cosmic radio sources; Jets
• ISSN: 0035-8711; 1365-2966
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2010.17456.x

Double-double radio galaxies (DDRGs) offer a unique opportunity for us to study multiple episodes of jet activity in large-scale radio sources. We use radio data from the Very Large Array and the literature to model two DDRGs, B1450+333 and B1834+620, in terms of their dynamical evolution. We find that the standard Fanaroff-Riley II model is able to explain the properties of the two outer lobes of each source, whereby the lobes are formed by ram-pressure balance of a shock at the end of the jet with the surrounding medium. The inner pairs of lobes, however, are not well described by the standard model. Instead we interpret the inner lobes as arising from the emission of relativistic electrons within the outer lobes, which are compressed and re-accelerated by the bow shock in front of the restarted jets and within the outer lobes. The predicted rapid progression of the inner lobes through the outer lobes requires the eventual development of a hotspot at the edge of the outer lobe, causing the DDRG ultimately to resemble a standard Fanaroff-Riley II radio galaxy. This may suggest that DDRGs are a brief, yet normal, phase of the evolution of large-scale radio galaxies.