The discovery of the first luminous z~6 quasar in the UKIDSS Large Area Survey

Details The discovery of the first luminous z~6 quasar in the UKIDSS Large Area Survey The discovery of the first luminous z~6 quasar in the UKIDSS Large Area Survey

2006-12-07

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0612162v2

Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc.376:L76-L80,2007

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

5 pages, 4 figures. Accepted by MNRAS Letters. v2: small changes to match accepted version

Scientific paper

10.1111/j.1745-3933.2007.00290.x

We present the initial results from our search for high redshift, z > 6, quasars using near infrared data from the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey (UKIDSS) Large Area Survey (LAS). Our analysis of 106 deg^2 of sky from Data Release 1 (DR1) has resulted in the discovery of ULAS J020332.38+001229.2, a luminous (J_AB=20.0, J_Vega=19.1, M_1450=-26.2) quasar at z=5.86. Following candidate selection from the combined IR and optical catalogue data and stacking of multiple epoch Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) data, we have obtained optical spectroscopy for the only two z > 6 quasar candidates. The VLT FORS2 spectrum of ULAS J020332.38+001229.2 shows broad Ly alpha + NV1240 emission at ~8350 A and an abrupt continuum break due to absorption by the Ly alpha forest. The quasar is not present in the SDSS DR5 catalogue and the continuum spectral index of alpha=-1.4 (F_nu nu^alpha) is redder than a composite of SDSS quasars at similar redshifts (alpha=-0.5). The discovery of one z~6 quasar in ~100 deg^2 in a complete sample within our selection criteria down to a median depth of Y_AB=20.4 (7 sigma) is consistent with existing SDSS results. We describe our survey methodology, including the use of optical data from the SDSS and the highly effective procedures developed to isolate the very small surface density of high-probability quasar candidates.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The discovery of the first luminous z~6 quasar in the UKIDSS Large Area Survey 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 The discovery of the first luminous z~6 quasar in the UKIDSS Large Area Survey, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The discovery of the first luminous z~6 quasar in the UKIDSS Large Area Survey will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-15403