The origin of the very-high-energy radiation along the jet of Centaurus A

Journal article

As the closest known active galactic nucleus, Centaurus A (Cen A) provides a rich environment for astrophysical exploration. It has been observed across wavelengths from radio to gamma-rays, and indications of ongoing particle acceleration have been found on different scales. Recent measurements of very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-rays ( GeV) by the HESS observatory have inferred the presence of ultra-relativistic electrons along Cen A’s jet, yet the underlying acceleration mechanism remains uncertain. Various authors have proposed that jet substructures, known as knots, may serve as efficient particle accelerators. In this study, we investigate the hypothesis that knots are the particle acceleration sites along Cen A’s jets. We focus on stationary knots, and assume that they result from interactions between the jet and the stellar winds of powerful stars. By combining relativistic hydrodynamic simulations and shock acceleration theory with the radio and X-ray data, we compare theoretical predictions with morphological and spectral data from different knots. We estimate the maximum electron energy and the resulting VHE gamma-ray emission. Our findings suggest that electrons accelerated at the knots are responsible for the gamma-ray spectrum detected in the VHE band.

Authors: de Oliveira, C; Matthews, JH; de Souza, V

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Journal: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
• Volume: 539
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 3697-3713
• Publication date: 2025-05-05
• Acceptance date: 2025-04-28
• DOI: 10.1093/mnras/staf717
• EISSN: 1365-2966
• ISSN: 0035-8711
• Language: English
• Keywords: acceleration of particles; hydrodynamics; galaxies: jets; gamma-rays: galaxies; quasars: individual: Centaurus A; shock waves