Physical Conditions in Quasar Outflows: VLT Observations of QSO 2359-1241

Details Physical Conditions in Quasar Outflows: VLT Observations of QSO 2359-1241 Physical Conditions in Quasar Outflows: VLT Observations of QSO 2359-1241

2008-07-01

arxiv.org/abs/0807.0230v4

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

21 pages, 3 figures (accepted for publication in the ApJ)

Scientific paper

10.1086/592140

We analyze the physical conditions of the outflow seen in QSO 2359-1241 (NVSS J235953-124148), based on high resolution spectroscopic VLT observations. This object was previously studied using Keck/HIRES data. The main improvement over the HIRES results is our ability to accurately determine the number density of the outflow. For the major absorption component, level population from five different Fe II excited level yields n_H=10^4.4 cm^-3 with less than 20% scatter. We find that the Fe ii absorption arises from a region with roughly constant conditions and temperature greater than 9000 K, before the ionization front where temperature and electron density drop. Further, we model the observed spectra and investigate the effects of varying gas metalicities and the spectral energy distribution of the incident ionizing radiation field. The accurately measured column densities allow us to determine the ionization parameter log(U) = -2.4 and total column density of the outflow (log(N_H) = 20.6 cm^-2). Combined with the number density finding, these are stepping stones towards determining the mass flux and kinetic luminosity of the outflow, and therefore its importance to AGN feedback processes.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Physical Conditions in Quasar Outflows: VLT Observations of QSO 2359-1241 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 Physical Conditions in Quasar Outflows: VLT Observations of QSO 2359-1241, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Physical Conditions in Quasar Outflows: VLT Observations of QSO 2359-1241 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-421481