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Using astrochemistry to probe jet structure and energetics in black hole X-ray binaries

Image Credit: Tetarenko et al.

Key evidence obtained from our molecular line study supporting a black hole X-ray binary jet-ISM interaction between GRS 1915+105 and IRAS 19132+1035 (Tetarenko et al., 2018).

(left) CO column density and radio continuum emission (white contours), where the jet impact site is marked by a cyan arrow. (right) CO kinematic analysis over a spatial region through (solid blue rectangle) and offset (dotted blue rectangle) from the jet impact site (purple shading). The properties of the molecular emission we observe are consistent with the gas in the impact zone being punched from behind, resulting in the excavation of a jet-blown cavity in the molecular gas.