B2 0258+35 polarisation images

We detected a unique S-shaped diffuse polarised structure. The lobes have a pressure of p=1.95+/-0.4x10^-14^dyn/cm^2^. The calculated total magnetic field strengths are low (B_eq_=1.21+/-0.12uG).

We observe depolarisation in the northern lobe, which might originate from the HI-disc in the foreground. In addition we see an anti-correlation between the pressure and the fractional polarisation along the S-shaped structure. Therefore we consider magnetic draping and magnetic field compression as possible effects that might have created the observed S-shape.

Our results suggest that magnetic draping can be effectively used to explain the observed polarised structures. This is likely due to the combination of a relatively low magnetic field strength, enabling super-Alfvenic motion of the rising lobes (with M_A_=2.47-3.50), and the coherency of the surrounding magnetic field. Moreover, the draped layer tends to suppress any mixing of the material between the radio lobes and the surrounding environment, but can enhance the mixing and re-acceleration efficiencies inside the lobes, providing an explanation for the average flat spectral index observed in the lobes.