Diffuse X-ray emission from the jets of SS 433
The detection of large-scale diffuse X-ray jets from the variable-emission-line object SS 433 is reported. Observations were made with the high resolution imager and imaging proportional counter on board the Einstein X-ray Observatory. The two diffuse X-ray features discovered are found to be aligned with both the central source of SS 433 and with the bulges of the shell of the huge supernova remnant W 50 associated with SS 433, thus confirming the detection of jets related to SS 433 and the link between SS 433 and W 50, establishing a minimum age of 1000 years for the jet phenomenon and offering an explanation of the size of W 50. Processes by which two oppositely directed beams of material from the SS 433 source region may emit the diffuse X-rays are then considered, including shock heating by interactions with the ambient medium and synchrotron radiation. Similarities between the morphologies of the diffuse X-ray emission and those of radio galaxies are also noted.