Relativistic models of two low-luminosity radio jets: B2 0326+39 and B2 1553+24

Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 350 (2004) 1342 We apply the intrinsically symmetrical, decelerating relativistic jet model developed by Laing & Bridle for 3C 31 to deep, full-synthesis 8.4-GHz VLA imaging of the two low-luminosity radio galaxies B2 0326+39 and B2 1553+24. After some modifications to the functional forms used to describe the geometry, velocity, emissivity and magnetic-field structure, these models can accurately fit our data in both total intensity and linear polarization. We conclude that the jets in B2 0326+39 and B2 1553+24 are at angles of 64 +/- 5 deg and 7.7 +/- 1.3 deg to the line of sight, respectively. In both objects, we find that the jets decelerate from 0.7 - 0.8c to 200 kpc), straight, faint jets and we show that their true sizes are likely to have been underestimated in existing images. (Slightly abridged.)