The HST survey of the B2 sample of radio-galaxies: Optical nuclei and the FR I/BL Lac unified scheme

We examine the optical properties of the nuclei of low luminosity radio-galaxies using snapshot HST images of the B2 sample. In agreement with the results obtained from the analysis of the brighter 3C/FR I sample, we find a correlation between fluxes (and luminosities) of the optical and radio cores. This provides further support for the interpretation that the optical nuclear emission in FR I is dominated by synchrotron emission and that accretion in these sources takes place in a low efficiency radiative regime. In the framework of the FR I/BL Lacs unified scheme, we find that the luminosity difference between FR I and BL Lac nuclei can be reproduced with a common beaming factor in both the radio and the optical band, independent of the extended radio luminosity, thus supporting such a scenario. The corresponding bulk Lorentz factor is significantly smaller than is expected from observational and theoretical considerations in BL Lacs: this can be interpreted as due to a velocity structure in the jet, with a fast spine surrounded by a slower layer. Based on observations with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by AURA, Inc., under NASA contract NAS 5-26555 and by STScI grant GO-3594.01-91A.