The jet and counterjet of 3C 270 (NGC 4261) viewed in the X-ray with Chandra

The radio source 3C 270, hosted by NGC 4261, is the brightest known example of counterjet X-ray emission from a low-power radio galaxy. We report on the X-ray emission of the jet and counterjet from 130 ks of Chandra data. We argue that the X-ray emission is synchrotron radiation and that the internal properties of the jet and counterjet are remarkably similar. We find a smooth connection in X-ray hardness and X-ray to radio ratio between the jet and one of the X-ray components within the core spectrum. We observe wedge-like depressions in diffuse X-ray surface brightness surrounding the jets, and interpret them as regions where an aged population of electrons provides pressure to balance the interstellar medium of NGC 4261. About 20% of the mass of the interstellar medium has been displaced by the radio source. Treating 3C 270 as a twin-jet system, we find an interesting agreement between the ratio of jet-to-counterjet length in X-rays and that expected if X-rays are observed over the distance that an outflow from the core would have traveled in ~6x10^4 yr. X-ray synchrotron loss times are shorter than this, and we suggest that most particle acceleration arises as a result of turbulence and dissipation in a stratified flow. We speculate that an episode of activity in the central engine beginning ~6x10^4 yr ago has led to an increased velocity shear. This has enhanced the ability of the jet plasma to accelerate electrons to X-ray-synchrotron-emitting energies, forming the X-ray jet and counterjet that we see today.