- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJ/804/7
- Title:
- SaMOSA: optical spectroscopy of 7 Fermi blazars
- Short Name:
- J/ApJ/804/7
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We present multi-epoch optical spectroscopy of seven southern Fermi-monitored blazars from 2008 to 2013 using the Small and Medium Aperture Research Telescope System (SMARTS), with supplemental spectroscopy and polarization data from the Steward Observatory. We find that the emission lines are much less variable than the continuum; four of seven blazars had no detectable emission line variability over the 5 yr observation period. This is consistent with photoionization primarily by an accretion disk, allowing us to use the lines as a probe of disk activity. Comparing optical emission line flux with Fermi {gamma}-ray flux and optical polarized flux, we investigate whether relativistic jet variability is related to the accretion flow. In general, we see no such dependence, suggesting that the jet variability is likely caused by internal processes like turbulence or shock acceleration rather than a variable accretion rate. However, three sources showed statistically significant emission line flares in close temporal proximity to very large Fermi {gamma}-ray flares. While we do not have sufficient emission line data to quantitatively assess their correlation with the {gamma}-ray flux, it appears that in some cases the jet might provide additional photoionizing flux to the broad-line region (BLR), which implies that some {gamma}-rays are produced within the BLR, at least for these large flares.
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Search Results
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/MNRAS/468/77
- Title:
- Sample of confirmed quasar pairs
- Short Name:
- J/MNRAS/468/77
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We present the most precise estimate to date of the clustering of quasars on very small scales, based on a sample of 47 binary quasars with magnitudes of g < 20.85 and proper transverse separations of ~25h^-1^kpc. Our sample of binary quasars, which is about six times larger than any previous spectroscopically confirmed sample on these scales, is targeted using a kernel density estimation (KDE) technique applied to Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) imaging over most of the SDSS area. Our sample is 'complete' in that all of the KDE target pairs with 17.0<=R<=36.2h^-1^kpc in our area of interest have been spectroscopically confirmed from a combination of previous surveys and our own long-slit observational campaign. We catalogue 230 candidate quasar pairs with angular separations of <8 arcsec, from which our binary quasars were identified. We determine the projected correlation function of quasars (<W>_ p_) in four bins of proper transverse scale over the range 17.0<=R<=36.2h^-1^kpc. The implied small-scale quasar clustering amplitude from the projected correlation function, integrated across our entire redshift range, is A=24.1+/-3.6 at ~26.6h^-1^kpc. Our sample is the first spectroscopically confirmed sample of quasar pairs that is sufficiently large to study how quasar clustering evolves with redshift at ~25h^-1^kpc. We find that empirical descriptions of how quasar clustering evolves with redshift at ~25h^-1^Mpc also adequately describe the evolution of quasar clustering at ~25h^-1^kpc.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/MNRAS/508/2798
- Title:
- Sample of 102 distant quasars
- Short Name:
- J/MNRAS/508/2798
- Date:
- 04 Mar 2022 14:51:25
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We present the radio properties of optically selected quasars with z>=3. The complete sample consists of 102 quasars with a flux density level S_1.4_>=100mJy in a declination range -35{deg}<=Dec.<=+49{deg}. The observations were obtained in 2017-2020 using the radio telescope RATAN-600. We measured flux densities at six frequencies 1.2, 2.3, 4.7, 8.2, 11.2, and 22GHz quasi-simultaneously with uncertainties of 9-31 per cent. The detection rate is 100, 89, and 46 per cent at 4.7, 11.2, and 22GHz, respectively. We have analysed the averaged radio spectra of the quasars based on the RATAN and literature data. We classify 46 per cent of radio spectra as peaked-spectrum, 24 per cent as flat, and none as ultra-steep spectra ({alpha}<=-1.1). The multifrequency data reveal that a peaked spectral shape (PS) is a common feature for bright high-redshift quasars. This indicates the dominance of bright compact core emission and the insignificant contribution of extended optically thin kpc-scale components in observed radio spectra. Using these new radio data, the radio loudness log R was estimated for 71 objects with a median value of 3.5, showing that the majority of the quasars are highly radio-loud with log R>2.5. We have not found any significant correlation between z and {alpha}. Several new megahertz- peaked spectrum (MPS) and gigahertz- peaked spectrum (GPS) candidates are suggested. Further studies of their variability and additional low-frequency observations are needed to classify them precisely.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/MNRAS/452/2553
- Title:
- Sample of foreground-background quasar pairs
- Short Name:
- J/MNRAS/452/2553
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- Previous observations of quasar host haloes at z~2 have uncovered large quantities of cool gas that exceed what is found around inactive galaxies of both lower and higher masses. To better understand the source of this excess cool gas, we compiled an exhaustive sample of 195 quasars at z~1 with constraints on chemically enriched, cool gas traced by MgII absorption in background quasar spectra from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. This quasar sample spans a broad range of luminosities from L_bol_=10^44.4^ to 10^46.8^erg/s and allows an investigation of whether halo gas properties are connected with quasar properties. We find a strong correlation between luminosity and cool gas covering fraction. In particular, low-luminosity quasars exhibit a mean gas covering fraction comparable to inactive galaxies of similar masses, but more luminous quasars exhibit excess cool gas approaching what is reported previously at z~2. Moreover, 30-40 percent of the MgII absorption occurs at radial velocities of |Delta_v_|>300km/s from the quasar, inconsistent with gas bound to a typical quasar host halo. The large velocity offsets and observed luminosity dependence of the cool gas near quasars can be explained if the gas arises from: (1) neighbouring haloes correlated through large-scale structure at Mpc scales, (2) feedback from luminous quasars or (3) debris from the mergers thought to trigger luminous quasars. The first of these scenarios is in tension with the lack of correlation between quasar luminosity and clustering while the latter two make distinct predictions that can be tested with additional observations.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/A+A/577/A36
- Title:
- Sample of weak blazars at mas resolution
- Short Name:
- J/A+A/577/A36
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We started a follow-up investigation of the "Deep X-ray Radio Blazar Survey" objects with declination >-10{deg} to better understand the blazar phenomenon. We undertook a survey with the European Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network at 5GHz to make the first images of a complete sample of weak blazars, aiming at a follow-up comparison between high- and low-power samples of blazars. We observed 87 sources with the EVN at 5GHz during the period October 2009 to May 2013. The observations were correlated at the Max-Planck-Institut fuer Radioastronomie and at the Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe. The correlator output was analysed using both the AIPS and DIFMAP software packages. All of the sources observed were detected. Point-like sources are found in 39 cases on a milli-arcsecond scale, and 48 show core-jet structure. The total flux density distribution at 5GHz has a median value <S>=44^+23^_-10_mJy. A total flux density <=150mJy is observed in 68 out of 87 sources. Their brightness temperature T_b_ ranges between 10^7^K and 10^12^K. According to the spectral indices previously obtained with multi-frequency observations, 58 sources show a flat spectral index, and 29 sources show a steep spectrum or a spectrum peaking at a frequency around 1-2GHz. Adding to the DXRBS objects we observed those already observed with ATCA in the Southern sky, we found that 14 blazars and a Steep Spectrum Radio Quasars, are associated to {gamma}-ray emitters. We found that 56 sources can be considered blazars. We also detected 2 flat spectrum narrow line radio galaxies. About 50% of the blazars associated to a {gamma}-ray object are BLLacs, confirming that they are more likely detected among blazars {gamma}-emitters. We confirm the correlation found between the source core flux density and the {gamma}-ray photon fluxes down to fainter flux densities. We also found that weak blazars are also weaker {gamma}-ray emitters compared to bright blazars. Twenty-two sources are SSRQs or Compact Steep-spectrum Sources, and 7 are GigaHz Peaked Sources. The available X-ray ROSAT observations allow us to suggest that CSS and GPS quasars are not obscured by large column of cold gas surrounding the nuclei. We did not find any significant difference in X-ray luminosity between CSS and GPS quasars.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJ/732/110
- Title:
- SDSS 2175{AA} extinction bump candidates
- Short Name:
- J/ApJ/732/110
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We report detections of 39 2175{AA} dust extinction bump candidates associated with strong MgII absorption lines at z~1-1.8 on quasar spectra in Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) DR3. These strong MgII absorption line systems are detected among 2951 strong MgII absorbers with a rest equivalent width W_r_{lambda}2796>1.0{AA} at 1.0<z<1.86, which is part of a full sample of 7421 strong MgII absorbers compiled by Prochter et al. (2006, Cat. J/ApJ/639/766). The redshift range of the absorbers is chosen to allow the 2175{AA} extinction features to be completely covered within the SDSS spectrograph operation wavelength range. An upper limit of the background quasar emission redshift at z=2.1 is set to prevent the Ly{alpha} forest lines from contaminating the sensitive spectral region for the 2175{AA} bump measurements. A total of 12 absorbers are detected with 2175{AA} bumps at a 5{sigma} level of statistical significance, 10 are detected at a 4{sigma} level, and 17 are detected at a 3{sigma} level. Most of the candidate bumps in this work are similar to the relatively weak 2175{AA} bumps observed in the Large Magellanic Cloud LMC2 supershell rather than the strong ones observed in the Milky Way.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJ/854/160
- Title:
- SDSS and DES long-term extreme variability QSOs
- Short Name:
- J/ApJ/854/160
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We perform a systematic search for long-term extreme variability quasars (EVQs) in the overlapping Sloan Digital Sky Survey and 3 Year Dark Energy Survey imaging, which provide light curves spanning more than 15 years. We identified ~1000 EVQs with a maximum change in g-band magnitude of more than 1 mag over this period, about 10% of all quasars searched. The EVQs have L_bol_~10^45^-10^47^erg/s and L/L_Edd_~0.01-1. Accounting for selection effects, we estimate an intrinsic EVQ fraction of ~30%-50% among all g<~22 quasars over a baseline of ~15yr. We performed detailed multi-wavelength, spectral, and variability analyses for the EVQs and compared them to their parent quasar sample. We found that EVQs are distinct from a control sample of quasars matched in redshift and optical luminosity: (1) their UV broad emission lines have larger equivalent widths; (2) their Eddington ratios are systematically lower; and (3) they are more variable on all timescales. The intrinsic difference in quasar properties for EVQs suggests that internal processes associated with accretion are the main driver for the observed extreme long-term variability. However, despite their different properties, EVQs seem to be in the tail of a continuous distribution of quasar properties, rather than standing out as a distinct population. We speculate that EVQs are normal quasars accreting at relatively low rates, where the accretion flow is more likely to experience instabilities that drive the changes in flux by a factor of a few on multi-year timescales.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJ/719/1672
- Title:
- SDSS binary quasars at high redshift. I.
- Short Name:
- J/ApJ/719/1672
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- The clustering of quasars on small scales yields fundamental constraints on models of quasar evolution and the buildup of supermassive black holes. This paper describes the first systematic survey to discover high-redshift binary quasars. Using color-selection and photometric redshift techniques, we searched 8142deg^2^ of Sloan Digital Sky Survey imaging data for binary quasar candidates, and confirmed them with follow-up spectroscopy. Our sample of 27 high-redshift binaries (24 of them new discoveries) at redshifts 2.9<z<4.3 with proper transverse separations 10kpc<R_T_<650kpc increases the number of such objects known by an order of magnitude. Eight members of this sample are very close pairs with R_T_<100kpc, and of these close systems four are at z>3.5. The completeness and efficiency of our well-defined selection algorithm are quantified using simulated photometry and we find that our sample is ~50% complete.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJ/824/130
- Title:
- SDSS/BOSS/TDSS CIV BAL quasars
- Short Name:
- J/ApJ/824/130
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We present results from the largest systematic investigation of broad absorption line (BAL) acceleration to date. We use spectra of 140 quasars from three Sloan Digital Sky Survey programs to search for global velocity offsets in BALs over timescales of ~2.5-5.5 years in the quasar rest frame. We carefully select acceleration candidates by requiring monolithic velocity shifts over the entire BAL trough, avoiding BALs with velocity shifts that might be caused by profile variability. The CIV BALs of two quasars show velocity shifts consistent with the expected signatures of BAL acceleration, and the BAL of one quasar shows a velocity-shift signature of deceleration. In our two acceleration candidates, we see evidence that the magnitude of the acceleration is not constant over time; the magnitudes of the change in acceleration for both acceleration candidates are difficult to produce with a standard disk-wind model or via geometric projection effects. We measure upper limits to acceleration and deceleration for 76 additional BAL troughs and find that the majority of BALs are stable to within about 3% of their mean velocities. The lack of widespread acceleration/deceleration could indicate that the gas producing most BALs is located at large radii from the central black hole and/or is not currently strongly interacting with ambient material within the host galaxy along our line of sight.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/AJ/126/2125
- Title:
- SDSS candidate type II quasars
- Short Name:
- J/AJ/126/2125
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- Type II quasars are the long-sought luminous analogs of type 2 (narrow emission line) Seyfert galaxies, suggested by unification models of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and postulated to account for an appreciable fraction of the cosmic hard X-ray background. We present a sample of 291 type II AGNs at redshifts 0.3<z<0.83 from the spectroscopic data of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. These objects have narrow (FWHM<2000km/s), high equivalent width emission lines with high-ionization line ratios. We describe the selection procedure and discuss the optical properties of the sample. About 50% of the objects have [O III] {lambda}5008 line luminosities in the range 3x10^8^-10^10^L_{sun}_, comparable to those of luminous (-27<M_B_<-23) quasars; this, along with other evidence, suggests that the objects in the luminous subsample are type II quasars.
