A model for predicting extragalactic jet lifetimes

In this letter, we propose a model to explain the disintegration of extragalactic jets and to predict the associated timescale. The model assumes that a. jet is current and charge neutral as well as collimated at its source; however, the forward electron current gradually decays producing a. magnetic field transverse to the direction of jet propagation. This growing transverse magnetic field eventually causes the jet to disintegrate.