GRS1915+105 MERLIN
In Autumn 1997, triggered by the observation of a radio outburst with
the Ryle Telescope, MERLIN was able to capture the early stages in the
development of twin relativistic jets in GRS1915+105. Relativistic
expansion, following a three times stronger radio flare, was first
discovered with the VLA in 1994. During the 1997 outburst MERLIN was
able to trace the development of the jets four times closer to the
binary than did the VLA in 1994. The expansion rate derived from the
sequence of MERLIN maps is similar to that in 1994. The inferred
velocity in the rest frame of the binary is 0.92c to 0.98c, depending
on the assumed distance for the source.
Fender (Amsterdam) Spencer, McKay, Garrington, Muxlow et al
(Manchester) and Pooley (Cambridge)