Variability and polarization in the inner jet of 3C 395

¹ Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (CSIC), Apdo. 3004, 18080 Granada, Spain
² Departamento de Astronomía, Universitat de Valéncia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain

Corresponding author: L. Lara, lucas@iaa.csic.es

Received: 10 November 2000
Accepted: 8 January 2001

Abstract

We present new results on the parsec-scale jet of the quasar 3C 395, derived from VLBI polarization-sensitive observations made in 1995.91 and 1998.50 at 8.4, 15.4 and 22.2 GHz. The observations show a complex one-sided jet extending up to 20 mas, with a projected magnetic field essentially aligned with the radio jet. The emission is strongly dominated, in total intensity and polarization, by the core and the inner jet region (of ~3 mas length). We have studied the details of this dominant region finding clear structural variations during this ~2.5 year period, in contrast with the apparent quietness of the jet structure inferred from lower resolution VLBI observations. We observe the ejection of a new component from the core and variations in the degree of polarization of the inner jet components. We estimate a high Faraday Rotation Measure close to the core, with a strong decrease along the inner jet.