Giant Radio Sources

We present multi-frequency VLA observations of two giant quasars, 0437-244 and 1025-229, from the Molonglo Complete Sample. These sources have well-defined FRII radio structure, possible one-sided jets, no significant depolarization between 1365 and 4935 MHz and low rotation measure ($\mid RM \mid < 20 rad/m^2$). The giant sources are defined to be those whose overall projected size is $\geq$ 1 Mpc. We have compiled a sample of about 50 known giant radio sources from the literature, and have compared some of their properties with a complete sample of 3CR radio sources of smaller sizes to investigate the evolution of giant sources, and test their consistency with the unified scheme for radio galaxies and quasars. We find an inverse correlation between the degree of core prominence and total radio luminosity, and show that the giant radio sources have similar core strengths to the smaller sources of similar total luminosity. Hence their large sizes are unlikely to be due to stronger nuclear activity. The degree of collinearity of the giant sources is also similar to the sample of smaller sources. The luminosity-size diagram shows that the giant sources are less luminous than our sample of smaller-sized 3CR sources, consistent with evolutionary scenarios where the giants have evolved from the smaller sources losing energy as they expand to these large dimensions. For the smaller sources, radiative losses due to synchrotron radiation is more significant while for the giant sources the equipartition magnetic fields are smaller and inverse Compton losses with the microwave background radiation is the dominant process. The radio properties of the giant radio galaxies and quasars are consistent with the unified scheme.Comment: 14 pages with 12 figures, MNRAS LaTex. Accepted for publication in MNRAS. Minor changes in the text and couple of references adde

Physical properties of the gamma-ray binary LS 5039 through low and high frequency radio observations

We have studied in detail the 0.15-15 GHz radio spectrum of the gamma-ray binary LS 5039 to look for a possible turnover and absorption mechanisms at low frequencies, and to constrain the physical properties of its emission. We have analysed two archival VLA monitorings, all the available archival GMRT data and a coordinated quasi-simultaneous observational campaign conducted in 2013 with GMRT and WSRT. The data show that the radio emission of LS 5039 is persistent on day, week and year timescales, with a variability $\lesssim 25~\%$ at all frequencies, and no signature of orbital modulation. The obtained spectra reveal a power-law shape with a curvature below 5 GHz and a turnover at $\sim0.5$ GHz, which can be reproduced by a one-zone model with synchrotron self-absorption plus Razin effect. We obtain a coherent picture for a size of the emitting region of $\sim0.85~\mathrm{mas}$, setting a magnetic field of $B\sim20~\mathrm{mG}$, an electron density of $n_{\rm e}\sim4\times10^5~{\rm cm^{-3}}$ and a mass-loss rate of $\dot M\sim5\times10^{-8}~{\rm M_{\odot} yr^{-1}}$. These values imply a significant mixing of the stellar wind with the relativistic plasma outflow from the compact companion. At particular epochs the Razin effect is negligible, implying changes in the injection and the electron density or magnetic field. The Razin effect is reported for first time in a gamma-ray binary, giving further support to the young non-accreting pulsar scenario.Comment: 16 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

GMRT Observations of Microquasar V4641 Sgr

We report the GMRT observations of V4641 Sgr during the May 2002 outburst at radio frequencies of 610 and 244 MHz. This is the lowest frequency radio detection of this source. The present low frequency radio observations clearly showed spectral evolution from the optically thick to thin state. This behavior is broadly consistent with the expanding bubble model. However, the flux densities observed at lower frequencies are much higher than predicted by this model. In the conical jet model, this discrepancy could be reconciled.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure