M87 at 90 cm: A Different Picture

We present new VLA images of the large-scale structure of M87. These images suggest that the outward flow from the M87 nucleus extends well beyond the 2 kpc jet. Two 'bubbles' of synchrotron emission apear to be inflated by the flow. A simple model of the emission, combined with our knowledge of the inner jet, suggest that the energy input into this region from the M87 nucleus exceeds the energy being radiated away as X-rays. This argues that the region within 40 kpc of the center of M87 is currently dominated by energy input from the M87 nucleus. The gas in the region is expanding, not flowing inward as is envisioned in the cooling flow model.