Some properties of the knots in the M87 jet
Photographs taken in 1956 by Baade show the knots in the jet of M87 to be polarized. In 1978, these plates were repeated under conditions as identical as possible. A careful comparison indicates that the polarization and intensity of the knots have changed in the 22 year interval. Emission lines in the nucleus of M87 not previously seen have been revealed by extensive 5 m SIT spectroscopy. The same spectroscopy with galaxy subtracted, however, has failed to reveal any features in the jet. The known optical and radio properties of the jet are reviewed. A coincidence is found in almost all of the defining properties of BL Lacertae objects with the properties of the knots in the jet. Statistical studies of the distribution of BL Lacertae objects near bright galaxies reveals a marginally significant excess of such associations.