The obstructed jet in Mrk 231

Mrk 231 is the closest radio-quiet quasar known and one of the most luminous infrared galaxies in the local Universe. It is characterized by the co-existence of a radio jet and powerful multiphase multiscale outflows, making it an ideal laboratory to study active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback. We analyse the multi-epoch very long baseline interferometry data of Mrk 231 and estimate the jet head advance speed to be less than or similar to 0.013 c, suggesting a sub-relativistic jet flow. The jet position angle changes from -113. in the inner parsec to -172 degrees at a projected distance of 25 pc. The jet structure change might result from either a jet bending following the rotation of the circum-nuclear disc or the projection of a helical jet on the plane of the sky. In the large opening angle (similar to 60 degrees) cone, the curved jet interacts with the interstellar medium and creates wide-aperture-angle shocks that subsequently dissipate a large portion of the jet power through radiation and contribute to powering the large-scale outflows. The low power and bent structure of the Mrk 231 jet, as well as extensive radiation dissipation, are consistent with the obstruction of the short-length jet by the host galaxy's environment.

Automated summary

Mrk 231 is the closest radio-quiet quasar known and one of the most luminous infrared galaxies in the local Universe. The jet structure change might result from either a jet bending following the rotation of the circum-nuclear disc or the projection of a helical jet on the plane of the sky. The low power and bent structure of the Mrk 231 jet, as well as extensive radiation dissipation, are consistent with the obstruction of the short-length jet by the host galaxy's environment.