Special Relativistic Imaging of Model Astrophysical Jets

Abstract

Imaging an astrophysical object traveling at relativistic speeds, leads to a number of image distortions. These effects may be studied within the framework of a numerical simulation. In this work, a special relativistic imaging algorithm is implemented. The resulting code works together with a hydrodynamic astrophysical program, producing synthetic images, depicting what a model relativistic astrophysical jet looks like to a stationary observer. The software is able to visualize a variety of dynamical astrophysical phenomena. A number of tests are performed, in order to confirm code integrity, and to present features of the software. The above demonstrate the potential of the computer program to help interpret astrophysical jet observations.