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A double-sided radio jet from the compact Galactic Centre annihilator 1E1740.7–2942

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Abstract

RECENT observations1,2 with the γ-ray telescope SIGMA, on the GRANAT satellite, indicated that the hard X-ray source 1E1740.7 – 2942 may be the source of the strongest outbursts of 511-keV electron-positron annihilation radiation from the Galactic Centre region3. We have observed this source using the Very Large Array, and find that its radio structure is that of a doublesided jet emanating from a compact and variable core. The changes in flux density and spectral index of the core are correlated with variations in the hard X-ray output. The jets are symmetrical about the core, and end in edge-brightened radio lobes; they are probably a result of synchrotron emission of electrons and positrons from the compact core. Our observation suggest that 1E1740.7 – 2942 is a 'microquasar' stellar remnant near the Galactic Centre, which ejects positrons that travel more than a parsec before slowing and annihilating in the interstellar gas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Service d'Astrophysique, Centre d'Etudes de Saclay, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France

    I. F. Mirabel, B. Cordier, J. Paul & F. Lebrun

  2. Instituto de Astronomié, UNAM, Apartado Postal 70-264, 04510, México, DF, Mexico

    L. F. Rodríguez

Authors
  1. I. F. Mirabel
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  2. L. F. Rodríguez
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  3. B. Cordier
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  4. J. Paul
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  5. F. Lebrun
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Mirabel, I., Rodríguez, L., Cordier, B. et al. A double-sided radio jet from the compact Galactic Centre annihilator 1E1740.7–2942. Nature 358, 215–217 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1038/358215a0

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