Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jan 1999
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1999apj...510l...7l&link_type=abstract
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 510, Issue 1, pp. L7-L10.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
22
Galaxies: Active, Galaxies: Interactions, Galaxies: Seyfert, Galaxies: Quasars: General, Radio Lines: Galaxies
Scientific paper
Violent galactic encounters or mergers are the leading contenders for triggering luminous quasar activity at low redshifts: such interactions can lead to the concentration of gas in the host galactic nucleus, thus fueling the suspected central supermassive black hole. Although optical images show a number of violently interacting systems, in many cases, the evidence for such interactions is only circumstantial (e.g., asymmetric optical morphologies, projected nearby companion galaxies) or not at all apparent. Here we image quasar host galaxies for the first time in the redshifted 21 cm line emission of neutral atomic hydrogen (H I) gas, which, in nearby galaxies, has proved to be a particularly sensitive as well as enduring tracer of tidal interactions. The three quasars studied have different optical environments that are normally seen around low-redshift quasars, ranging from a perhaps mildly interacting system to a relatively undisturbed host with a projected neighboring galaxy to an isolated and apparently serene host galaxy. By contrast with their optical appearances, all three quasar host galaxies exhibit ongoing or remnant tidal H I disruptions tracing galactic encounters or mergers. These observations demonstrate the utility of H I at revealing tidal interactions in quasar host galaxies and, combined with optical studies, provide a fuller understanding of the likely stage of the interaction.
Ho Paul T. P.
Lim Jeremy
No associations
LandOfFree
Violent Tidal Disruptions of Atomic Hydrogen Gas in Quasar Host Galaxies 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 Violent Tidal Disruptions of Atomic Hydrogen Gas in Quasar Host Galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Violent Tidal Disruptions of Atomic Hydrogen Gas in Quasar Host Galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1190065