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NASA NTRS1997

Broad Absorption Line Quasars Observed by the ROSAT PSPC

Recent results from the ROSAT All-Sky Survey have shown that Broad Absorption Line (BAL) QSOs are either highly absorbed or underluminous in the soft X-ray bandpass. Here we extend this work by analyzing all known bona fide BAL QSOs observed within the inner 20 min of the ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter. This sample includes both targeted and serendipitous exposures ranging from 8 to 75 ks. Despite these deep exposures, most of the BAL QSOs are undetected and have unusually weak X-ray emission, as evidenced by large optical-to-X-ray slopes alpha(sub ox). Large values of alpha(sub ox)(approx. greater than 1.8) may prove to be a defining characteristic of BAL QSOs. We predict that samples of QSO candidates with large alpha(sub ox) will yield a higher percentage of BAL QSOs, particularly at low redshift. As a corollary, X-ray selected QSO samples should yield fewer BAL QSOs. The optical/UV emission line spectra of BAL and non-BAL QSOs are quite similar, suggesting that their intrinsic spectral energy distributions are similar as well. Absorption thus seems the likely reason for the X-ray-quiet nature of BAL QSOs. To constrain the total absorbing column of the BAL clouds, we compare our measured soft X-ray fluxes or upper limits with those expected from normal radio-quiet QSOs of comparable optical continuum magnitude and redshift. From sensitive X-ray observations, we derive column densities of approx. less than 2 x 10(exp 22)/sq cm for intrinsic cold absorbers of solar metallicity. These new results suggest columns at least an order of magnitude larger than the columns previously estimated from optical/UV spectra alone.

Green, Paul J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Modeling the double-trough structure observed in broad absorption line QSOs using radiative acceleration

We present a model explaining the double trough, separated by delta v approximately = 5900 km/s, observed in the C IV lambda-1549 broad absorption line (BAL) in a number of BALQSOs. The model is based on radiative acceleration of the BAL outflow, and the troughs result from modulations in the radiative force. Specifically, where the strong flux from the Lyman-alpha lambda-1215 broad emission line is redshifted to the frequency of the N V lambda-1240 resonance line, in the rest frame of the accelerating N V ions, the acceleration increases and the absorption is reduced. At higher velocities the Lyman-alpha emission is redshifted out of the resonance and the N V ions experience a declining flux which causes the second absorption trough. A strongly nonlinear relationship between changes in the flux and the optical depth in the lines is shown to amplify the expected effect. This model produces double troughs for which the shallowest absorption between the two troughs occurs at v approximately = 5900 km/s. Indeed, we find that a substantial number of the observed objects show this feature. A prediction of the model is that all BALQSOs that show a double-trough signature will be found to have an intrinsic sharp drop in their spectra shortward of approximately 1200 A.

Arav, Nahum↗
NASA NTRS1994

The role of radiative acceleration in outflows from broad absorption line QSOs. 1: Comparison with O star winds

We investigate the role of radiation pressure in accelerating the broad absorption line (BAL) outflows in QSOs by comparing their properties with those of radiatively driven O star winds. We find that, owing to their lower column densities and higher velocity spreads, BAL outflows have only a few tens of strong resonance lines that are dynamically important, as compared with 10(exp 3) - 10(exp 4) lines in O star winds. We show that the combined radiative force (the 'force multiplier') declines more rapidly as a function of column density for BAL outflows than for O star winds. This is mainly attributed to the absence of lines from excited states in the BAL region. The absorbing gas in BAL outflows must have a small filling factor in order for radiative acceleration to be important dynamically. This allows the absorbing material to remain at a high enough density to maintain the ion species necessary for efficient radiative acceleration as well (as those responsible for the observed absorption), without the average flow density becoming so large that the absorbing matter cannot be accelerated by an increment larger than its own sound speed. The latter condition is necessary if the outflow is to tap a large portion of the incident photon momentum. Once a small filling factor is assumed, radiative acceleration can be more efficient in BAL outflows than in O stars. We show that terminal velocities of a few times 10(exp 4) km/sec can be expected, provided that the absorbing matter does not have to drag with it a much heavier substrate.

Arav, Nahum↗
NASA NTRS1999

X-Ray Continua of Broad Absorption Line Quasars

The targets for this program, PG1416-129 and LBQS 2212-1759 were known to be Broad Absorption Line Quasars (BALQSOs). BALQSOs are highly absorbed in soft X-rays. Good high energy response of Rossi-XTE made them ideal targets for observation. We observed LBQS 2212-1759 with PCA. We have now analyzed the data and found that the source was not detected. Since our target was expected to be faint, reliable estimate of background was very important. With the release of new FTOOLS (version 4.1) we were able to do so. We also analyzed a well known bright object and verified our results with the published data. This gave us confidence in the non-detection of our target LBQS 2212-1759. We are currently investigating the implications of this non-detection. Due to some scheduling problems, our second target PG1416-129 was not observed in A01. It was observed on 06/26/98. This target was detected with RXTE. We are now working on the spectral analysis with XSPEC.

Mathur, S.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The ultraviolet spectrum of the gravitational lens candidate UM 425 = QSO 1120+019: Evidence for broad absorption line (BAL) structure

The UV line profile structure of high-ionization resonance lines found with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) in the brightest of four multiply imaged sources (images-A) in the candidate gravitational lens UM 425 = QSO 1120+019 indicates broad absorption line (BAL) structure. The deep-broad trough associated with the O IV line extends to velocities approiximately -12,000 km/s, and contains disrete features that suggest multicomponent velocity structure. This structure may include contributions from C IV absorption from the early-type galaxy that is believed to lens UM 425. A strong absorption feature in the blue wing of the Lyman-alpha lambda 1216 emission line may be a Lyman alpha absorption system at a Z(sub Ly alpha) = 1.437 +/- 0.003, or it may be formed by the superposition of the broad N V lambda lambda 1238, 1242 absorption trough on the extended blue emission wing of the QSO Lyman-alpha line. We obtained a redshift of Z(sub QSO) = 1.471 +/- 0.003 from Lyman-alpha lambda 1215, consistent with the redshift found by Meylan and Djorgovski in the optical. The Lyman-alpha line appears unusally weak due to the presence of N V lambda 1240 BAL absorption. A Lyman-limit absorption system at lambda 912 was not observed in the QSO rest frame. The detection of BAL structure in the other weaker ground-state resonance lines of N II (l) and S IV (l) was not found, suggesting these lines are formed in a region that is distinct from the BAL component. Detection of BAL structure in the other fainter images in this system with Hubble Space Telescope (HST) instrumentation, similar to structure observed here in image A, could provide evidence that UM 425 is a gravitational lens.

Michelitsianos, A. G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Outflows driven by cosmic-ray pressure in broad absorption line QSOs

It is shown how the escape of ultrarelativistic neutrons from the central engine of an AGN can lead to the production of a strong fast wind with most of the acceleration occurring outside the broad emission line region. This feature is required in order to explain observations of broad absorption line (BAL) QSOs, in which the blue wings of the broad emission lines are often absorbed. The dynamical and thermal structure of the wind is determined, and the formation of BALs in such an outflow is modeled, deriving line profiles and constraining the rate at which the energy or relativistic protons has be be converted to thermal energy in order to provide pressure confinement for the BAL clouds. The problem of acceleration and survival of the clouds is discussed.

Begelman, Mitchell↗
NASA NTRS1990

Discovery of a cyclotron absorption line in the spectrum of the binary X-ray pulsar 4U 1538 - 52 observed by Ginga

A cyclotron absorption line near 20 keV has been found in the spectrum of the massive eclipsing binary X-ray pulsar 4U 1538 - 52 in observations with the Ginga observatory. The line is detected throughout the 529 s pulse cycle with a variable equivalent width that has its maximum value during the smaller peak of the two-peak pulse profile. It is found that the profile of the pulse and the phase-dependence of the cyclotron line can be explained qualitatively by a pulsar model based on recent theoretical results on the properties of pencil beams emitted by accretion-heated slabs of magnetized plasma at the magnetic poles of a neutron star. The indicated field at the surface of the neutron star is 1.7 (1 + z) x 10 to the 12th G, where z is the gravitational redshift.

Clark, George W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The interstellar deuterium-to-hydrogen ratio - A reevaluation of Lyman absorption-line measurements

The D/H ratio in the local interstellar medium is evaluated based upon previously published measurements of Lyman absorption lines together with the hypothesis that the D/H ratio is constant. A unique value for the D/H ratio of 1.5 (+/- 0.2) x 10 exp -5 by number is shown to be consistent with all published determinations made with the Copernicus and the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellites. The possibility that the D/H ratio may vary substantially in the local interstellar medium is considered and found to be unnecessary.

Mccullough, Peter R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Prospects for determining the cosmological helium-3 to helium-4 ratio via absorption-line studies of the local interstellar medium

The prospects for determining the interstellar (He-3)/(He-4) ratio via absorption-line studies in the extreme ultraviolet are considered. A high-resolution extreme-ultraviolet spectrometer fed by a 1-meter-class telescope similar to that discussed in the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer Report (1983) is assumed, and it is found that detection of He-3 may be possible with less than three days of observing time. To measure the (He-3)/(He-4) ratio with sufficient precision to determine the number of light neutrino species will require over 50 days of integration time for each object studied.

Hurwitz, M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Broad, variable absorption lines in the Seyfert Galaxy NGC 3516 - Probing the structure of the emission-line regions

Nineteen short-wavelength IUE archive images were analyzed in order to probe the structure of the active nucleus in NGC 3516, an SB0 Seyfert I galaxy. The measurements of these features are presented, and the strength, variability, and morphology of the emission and absorption lines and their relation to the continuum are analyzed. It is shown that the absorption must arise within 10 pc of the nonthermal continuum source and that its variability must stem from changes in the velocity space coverage of clouds optically thin to the Lyman continuum. Two possible sites of absorption are discussed: dense clouds in the narrow-line region and optically thin clouds in the broad-line region. A theoretical model that explains the anticorrelation of C IV absorption with continuum flux is described.

Voit, G. Mark↗
NASA NTRS1989

Archival research on absorption lines in violently star-forming galaxies

A computerized analysis of a starburst model is discussed. The model proposes that the absorption line equivalent width should scale with the level of star forming activity. Archival International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) data on IUE spectra of luminous blue galaxies were compared with previous IUE observations of extragalactic HII regions and low luminosity galaxies. The comparisons are summarized and causes for offsets are discussed.

Gallagher, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Ultraviolet observations of interstellar absorption lines toward SN 1987A

High-dispersion IUE echelle spectra of SN 1987A were averaged in order to obtain UV absorption-line profiles of the highest possible quality in the direction of SN 1987A. The profiles for Si IV and C IV are quite similar and have much less structure than the Al III profile. On relating column densities, while the C IV and Si IV ratio is relatively constant over the 0-100 km/s velocity range, the C IV to Al III and Si IV to Al III ratios vary by nearly a factor of 10. This suggests that the C IV and Si IV along this sight line in the Galaxy and its halo may have a common origin which differs from that for Al III.

Savage, Blair D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Interstellar K I and Na I absorption lines near rho Ophiuchi

Results are reported for photoelectric interferometric scans of the interstellar K I (7699 A) and Na I D1 absorption lines toward rho Oph AB and omicron Sco in the complex of dark clouds near rho Oph. The scans are found to reveal a well-marked line multiplicity toward both stars. It is shown that the resolved components of the line profiles can provide a natural explanation for the difference between the radial velocity of the strongest atomic lines of Na I and Ca II and that of the much weaker molecular lines of CH(+), CH, and CN that was previously observed toward rho Oph. The less saturated 7699-A lines toward both stars yield K I column densities roughly consistent with the calculated interstellar reddening.

Hobbs, L. M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A study of the H2O absorption line shifts in the visible spectrum region due to air pressure

Results of measured and calculated shift coefficients are presented for 170 absorption lines of H2O in five vibrational-rotational bands. The measurements have been carried out using highly sensitive laser spectrometers with a resolution of at least 0.01/cm; the calculations are based on the Anderson-Tsao-Curnutte-Frost method. Good agreement is obtained between the theoretical and experimental values of the shift coefficients of H2O lines due to N2, O2, and air pressure.

Grossmann, B. E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Interstellar absorption lines in the galaxy NGC 1705

The possibility is considered, and shown to be plausible, that the strong C IV and Si IV absorption lines in low-resolution ultraviolet spectra of gas-rich dwarf galaxies are primarily interstellar, not stellar as has been supposed. The argument is based on analogies with H II regions in the Local Group, on low-resolution equivalent width measurements of gas-rich dwarf galaxies from the literature and on high-resolution UV spectra of NGC 1705.

York, Donald G.↗
NASA NTRS1987

PG 1411 + 442 - The nearest broad absorption line quasar

IUE observations reveal strong, moderately broad absorption troughs in the blue wings of the C IV and N V emission lines of the quasar PG 1411 + 442. No absorption from weakly ionized gas is detected. The emission-line strengths and overall shape of the ultraviolet/optical/near-infrared/far-infrared continuum of the new broad absorption line quasar are within the range normally measured in quasars. Its redshift is low enough to allow the morphology of the host galaxy to be studied in deep broad-band and intermediate-band CCD images. The galaxy appears to be a large spiral with a very long arm or tail. The inclination angle is 57 deg, which rules out the possibility that the line of sight to the nucleus intersects a large path length in a galactic disk.

Malkan, Matthew A.↗
NASA NTRS2000

What Quasars Really Look Like: Unification of the Emission and Absorption Line Regions

We propose a simple unifying structure for the inner regions of quasars and AGN. This empirically derived model links together the broad absorption line (BALS), the narrow UV/X-ray ionized absorbers, the BELR, and the 5 Compton scattering/fluorescing regions into a single structure. The model also suggests an alternative origin for the large-scale bi-conical outflows. Some other potential implications of this structure are discussed.

Elvis, Martin↗