Acceleration and Substructure Constraints in a Quasar Outflow

Details Acceleration and Substructure Constraints in a Quasar Outflow Acceleration and Substructure Constraints in a Quasar Outflow

2007-04-28

arxiv.org/abs/0704.3772v1

Astrophys.J.665:174-186,2007

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

14 emulateapj pages, 7 figures, ApJ in press

Scientific paper

10.1086/519273

We present observations of probable line-of-sight acceleration of a broad absorption trough of C IV in the quasar SDSS J024221.87+004912.6. We also discuss how the velocity overlap of two other outflowing systems in the same object constrains the properties of the outflows. The Si IV doublet in each system has one unblended transition and one transition which overlaps with absorption from the other system. The residual flux in the overlapping trough is well fit by the product of the residual fluxes in the unblended troughs. For these optically thick systems to yield such a result, at least one of them must consist of individual subunits rather than being a single structure with velocity-dependent coverage of the source. If these subunits are identical, opaque, spherical clouds, we estimate the cloud radius to be r = 3.9 10^15 cm. If they are identical, opaque, linear filaments, we estimate their width to be w = 6.5 10^14 cm. These subunits are observed to cover the Mg II broad emission line region of the quasar, at which distance from the black hole the above filament width is equal to the predicted scale height of the outer atmosphere of a thin accretion disk. Insofar as that scale height is a natural size scale for structures originating in an accretion disk, these observations are evidence that the accretion disk can be a source of quasar absorption systems. Based on data from ESO program 075.B-0190(A).

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Acceleration and Substructure Constraints in a Quasar Outflow 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 Acceleration and Substructure Constraints in a Quasar Outflow, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Acceleration and Substructure Constraints in a Quasar Outflow will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-367490