Bulk motion of ultrarelativistic conical blazar jets

Abstract

Allowing for the conical shape of ultrarelativistic blazar jets with opening angles of a few degrees on parsec-scales, we show that their bulk Lorentz factors and viewing angles can be much larger than the values usually inferred by combining their flux-variability and proper-motion measurements. This is in accord with our earlier finding that such ultrarelativistic (Lorentz factor, ) conical jets can reconcile the relatively slow apparent motions of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) knots in TeV blazars with the extremely fast flows implied by their rapid γ-ray variability. This jet geometry also implies that de-projected jet opening angles will typically be significantly underestimated from VLBI measurements. In addition, de-projected jet lengths will be considerably overestimated if high Lorentz factors and significant opening angles are not taken into account. © 2006 RAS.