Abstract
Loops of superconducting cosmic string acquire electrical currents in the magnetic fields of host galaxies and emit short bursts of highly directed electromagnetic radiation. Here, we propose that the jets observed in quasars are formed by particles accelerated to relativistic energies by such bursts, and that the central engines of quasars are therefore loops of cosmic string.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Vilenkin, A. Phys. Rep. 121, 263–315 (1985).
Witten, E. Nucl. Phys. B249, 557–592 (1985).
Chudnovsky, E. M., Field, G. B., Spergcl, D. N. & Vilenkin, A. Phys. Rev. D34, 944–950 (1986).
Ostriker, J. P., Thompson, C. & Witlen, E. Phys. Lett. B180, 231–239 (1986).
Trimble, V. & Woltjer, L. Science 234, 155–161 (1986).
Turok, N. & Brandenburger, R. Phys. Rev. D33, 2175–2181 (1986).
Sofue, Y., Fujimoto, M. & Wielebinski, R. A. Rev. Astr. Astrophys. 24, 459–497 (1986).
Vilenkin, A. & Vachaspati, T. Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 1041–1044 (1987).
Ostriker, J. P. & Gunn, J. E. Astrophys. J. 157, 1395–1417 (1969).
Rees, M. J. Nature 229, 312–317 (1971).
Begelman, M. C., Blandford, R. D. & Rees, M. J. Rev. mod. Phys. 56, 255–351 (1984).
Schrnidt, M. & Green, R. F. Astrophys. J. 269, 352–374 (1985).
Kellermann, K. I. & Pauliny-Toth, I. I. K. A. Rev. Astr. Astrophys. 19, 373–410 (1981).
Rees, M. J. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 135, 345–360 (1967).
Ozernoy, L. M. & Sazanov, V. N. Astrophys. Space Sci. 3, 395–423 (1969).
Ginzburg, V. L. & Syrovatskii, S. I. A. Rev. Astr. Astrophys. 7, 375–420 (1969).
Bridle, A. H. & Perley, R. A. A. Rev. Astr. Astrophys. 22, 319–358 (1984).
Turok, N., Nucl. Phys. B242, 520–541 (1984).
Ryle, M. & Longair, M. S. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 136, 123–140 (1967).
Gehren, T., Fried, J., Wehinger, P. A. & Wyckoff, S. Astrophys. J. 278, 11–27 (1984).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vilenkin, A., Field, G. Quasars and superconducting cosmic strings. Nature 326, 772–773 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/326772a0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/326772a0
This article is cited by
-
Superconducting cosmic strings interpretation of some astronomical objects
Astrophysics and Space Science (1991)
-
Redshift cutoff and evolution of QSOs
Astrophysics and Space Science (1990)
-
Gamma-rays from superconducting cosmic strings
Nature (1988)
-
Self-excited cosmic string dynamos
Nature (1988)
-
Superconducting cosmic strings
Nature (1987)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.