Resolved jet of 3C 273 at 150 MHz

Using the full complement of LOFAR's international stations (German, Poland, France, UK, Sweden), we produce 0.31x0.21 arcsec images of 3C 273 at 150MHz. Using ancillary data at GHz frequencies, we fit free-free absorption (FFA) and synchrotron self-absorption (SSA) models to each region in order to determine their validity in explaining the observed spectra. The images presented display for the first time that robust, high-fidelity imaging of low-declination complex sources is now possible with the LOFAR international baselines.

We show that the main small-scale structures of 3C 273 match those seen at higher frequencies, with a tenuous detection of an extension to the outer lobe. We find that FFA and SSA models are able to describe the spectrum of the knots and, while differentiating between model types requires further observations, conclude that absorption is present in the observed emission. We determine the kinetic power of the jet to be in the range of 3.5x10^43^-1.5x10^44^erg/s which agrees with estimates made using higher frequency observations.

We derive lower limits for the bulk speed and Lorentz factor of beta>0.55 and Gamma>1.2 respectively. The counter-jet remains undetected at 150MHz, placing a limit on the peak brightness of S_cj_150<40mJy/beam.