VLT spectropolarimetry of two powerful radio galaxies at z~1.4: UV continuum, emission-line properties and the nature of high-redshift dust

Details VLT spectropolarimetry of two powerful radio galaxies at z~1.4: UV continuum, emission-line properties and the nature of high-redshift dust VLT spectropolarimetry of two powerful radio galaxies at z~1.4: UV continuum, emission-line properties and the nature of high-redshift dust

2004-03-16

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0403390v1

Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 351 (2004) 997

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

20 pages, including 14 figures. MNRAS accepted

Scientific paper

10.1111/j.1365-2966.2004.07842.x

(Abridged) Deep VLT spectropolarimetric observations are presented for two powerful radio galaxies, 0850-206 and 1303+091. These observations cover the rest-frame wavelength range ~ 1450 - 3750 A. New radio observations and continuum images of the same sources are also presented. These galaxies are the first two observed from a complete sample of nine radio sources with redshifts in the range 1.3 < z < 1.5 (selected from the equatorial sample of powerful radio sources of Best, Rottgering & Lehnert), as part of a project aimed to investigate the multi-component nature of the UV continuum in radio galaxies and any variations of the continuum properties with the radio source age. The larger radio source of the two, 0850-206, presents a high continuum fractional polarization, averaging 17% across the observed wavelength range and reaching 24% at rest-frame wavelengths of <2000 A. The smaller radio source, 1303+091, shows a lower continuum polarization, averaging 8% and rising to 11% for rest-frame wavelengths >3000 A. For both galaxies, the position angle of the electric vector is generally constant with wavelength and within ~15 degrees of perpendicular to the radio axis. Both their total flux spectra and polarized flux spectra reveal the 2200 A dust feature, and comparison with dust scattering models suggests that the composition of the dust in these galaxies is similar to that of Galactic dust. In 0850-206, scattered quasar radiation dominates the UV continuum emission, with the nebular continuum accounting for no more than ~22% and no requirement for any additional emission component such as emission from young stars. By contrast, in 1303+091, unpolarized radiation could be a major constituent of the UV continuum emission, with starlight accounting for up to ~50% and the nebular continuum accounting for ~11%.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

VLT spectropolarimetry of two powerful radio galaxies at z~1.4: UV continuum, emission-line properties and the nature of high-redshift dust does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with VLT spectropolarimetry of two powerful radio galaxies at z~1.4: UV continuum, emission-line properties and the nature of high-redshift dust, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and VLT spectropolarimetry of two powerful radio galaxies at z~1.4: UV continuum, emission-line properties and the nature of high-redshift dust will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-151332