Astrophysical jets

Abstract

The production of jets is a characteristic common to different astrophysical accreting objects at all scales, from long gamma-ray bursts to galactic binaries. Aside from certain phenomenology specific to each type of source, the physical processes underlying the formation and propagation of the jets is believed to be the same. I present some general ideas on the dynamics and energetics of relativistic jets, discussing the mechanisms of ejection, acceleration, and collimation of the outflows. I also focus on the radiative aspects of jets, reviewing the most relevant mechanisms of non-thermal emission with special emphasis in the high-energy regime.