Monitoring the bidirectional relativistic jets of the radio galaxy 3C 338

We present the analysis of VLA and VLBA observations of the radio source 3C 338, associated with the cD galaxy NGC 6166, the central dominant galaxy of the cluster Abell 2199. The VLBA observations were done at 8.4 and 15.4 GHz, while the VLA observations were performed at 0.074, 0.330, and 8.4 GHz. The milliarcsecond- resolution VLBA data, spanning 7 yr, reveal parsec-scale jets, whose kinematics and orientation cannot be unambiguously derived. Based on the observed morphology, jet/counterjet length ratio, flux density ratio, and proper motions of the jet components, we consider two possible explanations: either the jets are strongly relativistic and lie within 10 degrees-20 degrees of the plane of the sky, or they are only mildly relativistic and are pointing at an angle between 30 degrees and 50 degrees from the plane of the sky. The arcsecond-resolution VLA data enable us to investigate the large-scale structure of the radio source. The morphology of the low-frequency radio lobes clearly indicates that they are associated with the cavities present in the X-ray emission. Low-frequency observations also reveal an extension to the south corresponding to an X-ray hole. The ages of these bubbles, computed from the sound speed, the buoyancy time, and the radiative age, are all in fair agreement with each other. Estimates of the power necessary to inflate these cavities suggest that the accretion power onto the central engine has not been constant over time.