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Register a new userResolving the optical emission lines of Lya blob B1 at z=2.38: another hidden quasar
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We have used the SINFONI near-infrared integral field unit on the VLT to resolve the optical emission line structure of one of the brightest (L~1e44 erg/s) and nearest (z=2.38) of all Lya blobs (LABs). The target, known in the literature as object B1 (Francis et al. 1996), lies at a redshift where the main optical emission lines are accessible in the observed near-infrared. We detect luminous [OIII]4959,5007A and Ha emission with a spatial extent of at least 32x40 kpc (4x5). The dominant optical emission line component shows relatively broad lines (600-800 km/s, FWHM) and line ratios consistent with AGN-photoionization. The new evidence for AGN photoionization, combined with previously detected CIV and luminous, warm infrared emission, suggest that B1 is the site of a hidden quasar. This is confirmed by the fact that [OII] is relatively weak compared to [OIII] (extinction-corrected [OIII]/[OII] of about 3.8), which is indicative of a high, Seyfert-like ionization parameter. From the [OIII] luminosity we infer a bolometric AGN luminosity of ~3e46 erg/s, and further conclude that the obscured AGN may be Compton-thick given existing X-ray limits. The large line widths observed are consistent with clouds moving within the narrow line region of a luminous QSO. The AGN scenario is capable of producing sufficient ionizing photons to power the Lya, even in the presence of dust. By performing a census of similar objects in the literature, we find that virtually all luminous LABs harbor obscured quasars. Based on simple duty-cycle arguments, we conclude that AGN are the main drivers of the Lya in LABs rather than the gravitational heating and subsequent cooling suggested by cold stream models. We also conclude that the empirical relation between LABs and overdense environments at high redshift must be due to a more fundamental correlation between AGN (or massive galaxies) and environment.
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We present observations aimed at exploring both the nature of Lya emitting nebulae (Lya blobs) at z=2.38 and the way they trace large scale structure (LSS), by exploring their proximity to maximum starbursts through submillimeter emission. Our most important objectives are to make a census of associated submillimeter galaxies (SMGs), check their properties, and look for a possible overdensity in the protocluster J2142-4426 at z=2.38. We used the newly commissioned Large APEX Bolometer Camera (LABoCa) on the Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment (APEX) telescope, in its Science Verification phase, to carry out a deep 10x10 map at 870 micron, and we performed multiple checks of the quality of data processing and source extraction. Our map, the first published deep image, confirms the capabilities of APEX/LABoCa as the most efficient current equipment for wide and deep submm mapping. Twenty-two sources were securely extracted with 870 micron flux densities in the range 3-21 mJy, rms noise 0.8-2.4 mJy, and far-IR luminosities probably in the range ~5-20 x 10(12) Lo. Only one of the four 50 kpc-extended Lya blobs has a secure 870 micron counterpart. The 870 micron source counts in the whole area are marginally higher than in the SHADES SCUBA survey, with a possible over-density around this blob. The majority of the 3.6-24 micron SEDs of the submillimeter sources indicate they are starburst dominated, with redshifts mostly >2. However, there is evidence of a high-z AGN in ~30% of the sources.
We present high angular resolution imaging of the quasar PSO J172.3556+18.7734 at $z=6.82$ with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). This source currently holds the record of being the highest redshift radio-loud quasar. These observations reveal a dominant radio source with a flux density of $398.4 pm 61.4~mu$Jy at 1.53 GHz, a deconvolved size of $9.9 times 3.5$ mas ($52.5 times 18.6$ pc), and an intrinsic brightness temperature of ($4.7 pm 0.7) times 10^7$ K. A weak unresolved radio extension from the main source is also detected at $sim~3.1sigma$ level. The total flux density recovered with the VLBA at 1.53 GHz is consistent with that measured with the Very Large Array (VLA) at a similar frequency. The quasar is not detected at 4.67 GHz with the VLBA, suggesting a steep spectral index with a limit of $alpha^{1.53}_{4.67} < -$1.55. The quasar is also not detected with the VLBA at 7.67 GHz. The overall characteristics of the quasar suggest that it is a very young radio source similar to lower redshift Gigahertz Peaked Spectrum radio sources, with an estimated kinematic age of $sim~10^3$ years. The VLA observations of this quasar revealed a second radio source in the field $23rlap{.}{}1$ away. This radio source, which does not have an optical or IR counterpart, is not detected with the VLBA at any of the observed frequencies. Its non-detection at the lowest observed VLBA frequency suggests that it is resolved out, implying a size larger than ~$0rlap{.}{}17$. It is thus likely situated at lower redshift than the quasar.
We have taken a deep, moderate-resolution Keck/Deimos spectra of QSO, CFHQS2329, at z=6.4. At the wavelength of Lya, the spectrum shows a spatially-extended component, which is significantly more extended than a stellar spectrum, and also a continuum part of the spectrum. The restframe line width of the extended component is 21+-7 A, and thus smaller than that of QSO (52+-4 A), where they should be identical if the light is incomplete subtraction of the QSO component. Therefore, these comparisons argue for the detection of a spatially extended Lya nebulae around this QSO. This is the first z>6 QSO that an extended Lya halo has been observed around. Careful subtraction of the central QSO spectrum reveals a lower limit to the Lya luminosity of (1.7+-0.1)x 10^43 erg s^-1. This emission may be from the theoretically predicted infalling gas in the process of forming a primordial galaxy that is ionized by a central QSO. On the other hand, if it is photoionized by the host galaxy, an estimated star-formation rate of >3.0 Msun yr^-1 is required. If we assume the gas is virialized, we obtain dynamical mass estimate of Mdyn=1.2x10^12 Msun. The derived MBH/Mhost is 2.1x10^-4, which is two orders smaller than those from more massive z~6 QSOs, and places this galaxy in accordance with the local M-sigma relation, in contrast to a previous claim on the evolution of M-sigma relation at z~6. We do not claim evolution or non-evolution of the M-sigma relation based on a single object, but our result highlights the importance of investigating fainter QSOs at z~6.
We present high angular resolution imaging ($23.9 times 11.3$ mas, $138.6 times 65.5$ pc) of the radio-loud quasar PSO~J352.4034$-$15.3373 at $z=5.84$ with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) at 1.54 GHz. This quasar has the highest radio-to-optical flux density ratio at such a redshift, making it the radio-loudest source known to date at $z sim 6$. The VLBA observations presented here resolve this quasar into multiple components with an overall linear extent of 1.62 kpc ($0rlap{.}{}28$) and with a total flux density of $6.57 pm 0.38$ mJy, which is about half of the emission measured at a much lower angular resolution. The morphology of the source is comparable with either a radio core with a one-sided jet, or a compact or a medium-size Symmetric Object (CSO/MSO). If the source is a CSO/MSO, and assuming an advance speed of $0.2c$, then the estimated kinematic age is $sim 10^4$ yr.
We present spectroscopic measurements of the [OIII] emission line from two subregions of strong Lyman-alpha emission in a radio-quiet Lyman-alpha blob (LAB). The blob under study is LAB1 (Steidel et al. 2000) at z ~ 3.1, and the [OIII] detections are from the two Lyman break galaxies embedded in the blob halo. The [OIII] measurements were made with LUCIFER on the 8.4m Large Binocular Telescope and NIRSPEC on 10m Keck Telescope. Comparing the redshift of the [OIII] measurements to Lyman-alpha redshifts from SAURON (Weijmans et al. 2010) allows us to take a step towards understanding the kinematics of the gas in the blob. Using both LUCIFER and NIRSPEC we find velocity offsets between the [OIII] and Lyman-alpha redshifts that are modestly negative or consistent with 0 km/s in both subregions studied (ranging from -72 +/- 42 -- +6 +/- 33 km/s). A negative offset means Lyman-alpha is blueshifted with respect to [OIII], a positive offset then implies Lyman-alpha is redshifted with respect to [OIII]. These results may imply that outflows are not primarily responsible for Lyman alpha escape in this LAB, since outflows are generally expected to produce a positive velocity offset (McLinden et al. 2011). In addition, we present an [OIII] line flux upper limit on a third region of LAB1, a region that is unassociated with any underlying galaxy. We find that the [OIII] upper limit from the galaxy-unassociated region of the blob is at least 1.4 -- 2.5 times fainter than the [OIII] flux from one of the LBG-associated regions and has an [OIII] to Lyman-alpha ratio measured at least 1.9 -- 3.4 times smaller than the same ratio measured from one of the LBGs.
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