IUE spectra of the jet and the nucleus of M 87.

Abstract

IUE spectra from 1300 to 3000 A of the jet and the nucleus of M87 are presented. The flux detected with the 10 x 20 arcsec aperture positioned on the jet is consistent with the extrapolation of the optical power law spectrum of the bright complex of knots A plus J plus B, plus a contribution of diffuse light from M87. The spectrum of the nucleus declines from 3000 to about 2000 A and then rises again at shorter wavelengths, indicating the presence of two components. The profiles along the slit of the two spectra in the 2000-3000 A range and in the 1200-2000 A range are both much broader than the profile of an unresolved source, and the amount of broadening is the same. This shows that both components are diffuse and that their spatial distributions are similar.