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Register a new userThe bluest changing-look QSO SDSS J224113-012108
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Zhang XueGuang
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In this manuscript, we report a new changing-look QSO (CLQSO) SDSS J2241 at $z=0.059$. Based on the multi-epoch SDSS spectra from 2011 to 2017, the flux ratio of broad H$alpha$ to broad H$beta$ has been changed from 7 in 2011 to 2.7 in 2017, leading SDSS J2241 with spectral index $alpha_lambdasim-5.21pm0.02$ ($lambda< 4000$AA) in 2017 to be so-far the bluest CLQSO. Based on the SDSS spectrum in 2011, the host galaxy contributions with stellar velocity dispersion $sim86{rm km/s}$ can be well determined, leading to the M-sigma relation expected central BH mass $sim3times10^6{rm M_odot}$. However, through properties of the broad H$alpha$, the virial BH mass is $sim10^8{rm M_odot}$, about two magnitudes larger than the mass through the M-sigma relation. The different BH masses through different methods indicate SDSS J2241 is one unique CLQSO. Meanwhile, the long-term photometric light curve shows interesting variability properties, not expected by DRW process commonly applied in AGN but probably connected to a central TDE. Furthermore, based on continuum emission properties in 2017 with no dust obscurations, only considering the moving dust clouds cannot be preferred to explain the CLQSO SDSS J2241, because the expected intrinsic reddening corrected continuum emissions were unreasonably higher than the unobscured continuum emissions in 2017.
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We present a systematic search for changing-look quasars based on repeat photometry from SDSS and Pan-STARRS1, along with repeat spectra from SDSS and SDSS-III BOSS. Objects with large, |Delta g|>1 mag photometric variations in their light curves are selected as candidates to look for changes in broad emission line (BEL) features. Out of a sample of 1011 objects that satisfy our selection criteria and have more than one epoch of spectroscopy, we find 10 examples of quasars that have variable and/or changing-look BEL features. Four of our objects have emerging BELs; five have disappearing BELs, and one object shows tentative evidence for having both emerging and disappearing BELs. With redshifts in the range 0.20 < z < 0.63, this sample includes the highest-redshift changing-look quasars discovered to date. We highlight the quasar J102152.34+464515.6 at z = 0.204. Here, not only have the Balmer emission lines strongly diminished in prominence, including H$beta$ all but disappearing, but the blue continuum $f_{ u} propto u^{1/3}$ typical of an AGN is also significantly diminished in the second epoch of spectroscopy. Using our selection criteria, we estimate that >15% of strongly variable luminous quasars display changing-look BEL features on rest-frame timescales of 8 to 10 years. Plausible timescales for variable dust extinction are factors of 2-10 too long to explain the dimming and brightening in these sources, and simple dust reddening models cannot reproduce the BEL changes. On the other hand, an advancement such as disk reprocessing is needed if the observed variations are due to accretion rate changes.
If the disappearance of the broad emission lines observed in changing-look quasars originates from the obscuration of the quasar core by dusty clouds moving in the torus, high linear optical polarization would be expected in those objects. We then measured the rest-frame UV-blue linear polarization of a sample of 13 changing-look quasars, 7 of them being in a type 1.9-2 state. For all quasars but one the polarization degree is lower than 1%. This suggests that the disappearance of the broad emission lines cannot be attributed to dust obscuration, and supports the scenario in which changes of look are caused by a change in the rate of accretion onto the supermassive black hole. Such low polarization degrees also indicate that these quasars are seen under inclinations close to the system axis. One type 1.9-2 quasar in our sample shows a high polarization degree of 6.8%. While this polarization could be ascribed to obscuration by a moving dusty cloud, we argue that this is unlikely given the very long time needed for a cloud from the torus to eclipse the broad emission line region of that object. We propose that the high polarization is due to the echo of a past bright phase seen in polar-scattered light. This interpretation raises the possibility that broad emission lines observed in the polarized light of some type 2 active galactic nuclei can be echoes of past type 1 phases and not evidence of hidden broad emission line regions.
We report on three redshift $z>2$ quasars with dramatic changes in their C IV emission lines, the first sample of changing-look quasars (CLQs) at high redshift. This is also the first time the changing-look behaviour has been seen in a high-ionisation emission line. SDSS J1205+3422, J1638+2827, and J2228+2201 show interesting behaviour in their observed optical light curves, and subsequent spectroscopy shows significant changes in the C IV broad emission line, with both line collapse and emergence being displayed on rest-frame timescales of $sim$240-1640 days. These are rapid changes, especially when considering virial black hole mass estimates of $M_{rm BH} > 10^{9} M_{odot}$ for all three quasars. Continuum and emission line measurements from the three quasars show changes in the continuum-equivalent width plane with the CLQs seen to be on the edge of the full population distribution, and showing indications of an intrinsic Baldwin effect. We put these observations in context with recent state-change models, and note that even in their observed low-state, the C IV CLQs are generally above $sim$5% in Eddington luminosity.
Two major challenges to unification schemes for active galactic nuclei (AGN) are the existence of Narrow-Line Seyfert 1s (NLS1s) and the existence of changing-look (CL) AGNs. AGNs can drastically change their spectral appearance in the optical (changing their Seyfert type) and/or in the X-ray region. We illustrate the CL phenomenon with our multi-wavelength monitoring of NGC 2617 and discuss its properties compared with NLS1s. There are few examples of CL NLS1s and the changes are mostly only in the X-ray region. It has been proposed that some of these could be cases of a tidal-disruption events (TDE) or supernova events. If BLRs have a flat geometry and NLS1s are seen face-on then we have to see CL cases only if the orientation of the BLR changes as a result of a TDE or a close encounter of a star without a TDE. If NLS1s include both high Eddington accretion rate and low-inclination AGNs then a significant fraction of NLS1s could be obscured and would not be identified as NLS1s. CL cases might happen more in such objects if dust sublimation occurs following a strong increase in the optical luminosity.
If the disappearance of the broad emission lines observed in changing-look quasars were caused by the obscuration of the quasar core through moving dust clouds in the torus, high linear polarization typical of type 2 quasars would be expected. We measured the polarization of the changing-look quasar J1011+5442 in which the broad emission lines have disappeared between 2003 and 2015. We found a polarization degree compatible with null polarization. This measurement suggests that the observed change of look is not due to a change of obscuration hiding the continuum source and the broad line region, and that the quasar is seen close to the system axis. Our results thus support the idea that the vanishing of the broad emission lines in J1011+5442 is due to an intrinsic dimming of the ionizing continuum source that is most likely caused by a rapid decrease in the rate of accretion onto the supermassive black hole.
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