Magnetohydrodynamic Production of Relativistic Jets

• DOI: 10.1126/science.291.5501.84
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T09:53:24Z
• Authors: David L. Meier; Shinji Koide; Yutaka Uchida
• Keywords: Collimated light; Astrophysical jet

A number of astronomical systems have been discovered that generate collimated flows plasma with velocities close to the speed light. In all cases, central object is probably a neutron star or black hole and either accreting material from other stars in initial violent stages formation. Supercomputer simulations production relativistic jets based on magnetohydrodynamic model, which differential rotation system creates magnetic coil simultaneously expels pinches some infalling material. The model may explain basic features observed jets, including their amount collimation, details behavior statistics different jet-producing sources.