Three-dimensional simulations of the jets of extragalactic radio sources

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Abstract
We describe here the first fully three-dimensional simulations of the jets of extra-galactic radio sources. Application of a steady precession to the jet leads to a variety of unsteady features in the resultant flow pattern, and gives structures which bear a striking resemblance to those observed. The simulations contain secondary hotspots which are formed in the manner of the dentist’s drill model and are not properly described as splatter-spots, although material continues to flow into them after their creation. We propose explanations of the characteristics of multiple radio hotspots. We find that three-dimensional jets are more stable with respect to perturbations by an asymmetric backflow than are their counterparts in slab geometry.

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