Kinematic Study of the Blazar 0716+714

Abstract

We determined the kinematics at the jet of 0716+714 from a reanalysis of multi-frequency VLBI data (5, 8.4, 15, 22 GHz) obtained during the last 10 years combined with data from the literature. For this intra-day variable blazar, only a lower limit of its distance is known (z >= 0.3). We find that 0716+714 is a relatively fast superluminal source (with a Lorentz factor of gamma >15), revising earlier results showing much slower motions. We discuss the new findings with emphasis on the interpretation of the observed rapid radio variability.

To be published in "Future Directions in High Resolution Astronomy" (Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Very Long Baseline Array), ASP Conference Series. 3 pages, 2 figures