Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
1997-07-25
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
24 text pages + 9 postscript figures (figure 5 is in colour). To appear in the December 10, 1997 issue of the Astrophysical Jo
Scientific paper
10.1086/304975
We present the results of an extensive Fabry-Perot investigation of the extended line-emission gas surrounding powerful radio galaxies. High spatial (1.4 arcsec) and kinematical (400 km/s) resolution observations of the [OII]3727 emission-line of the powerful, double radio source 3C34 (z=0.689) are given. We present evidence that anisotropic radiation emanating from a hidden AGN is responsible for photoionizing a line-emission region extending more than 120 kpc. This is indicated by the distinctively bi-conical morphology of 3C34's [OII] gas. A number of line-emission components may also show various degrees of `shadowing' outward from the central ionizing source. A simple photoionization model is used to show that this interpretation is energetically viable on these length scales. The luminosity of the hidden central AGN, necessary to account for the observed [OII] luminosity, is compatible with that of a typical 3CR quasar at a similar redshift. Although this interpretation can account for the excitation and most of the unique shape of the warm gas, it is insufficient to explain the velocity and line-width structures observed with our Fabry-Perot interferometer. Therefore, we also propose that the illuminated medium surrounding 3C34 is the result of gas swept aside by the lateral expansion and backflow of the radio source lobes.
Hippelein H. H.
Meisenheimer Klaus
Neeser Mark J.
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