A quasar with ultrastrong, ultraviolet Fe II emission
Open Access
- 11 April 1996
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Vol. 279 (4) , 1349-1356
- https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/279.4.1349
Abstract
We report the discovery of an unusual quasar, 2226–3905, found during a survey of quasar candidates. The ultraviolet spectrum (intrinsic frame) of the object is dominated by extremely strong Fe ii emission. The emission lines are narrow (typical FWHM ∼ 2150 km s−1) and show little trace of their usually broad wings. Ciii] λ1909 appears to be blended with an Fe iii multiplet and we identify Fe iii lines originating from high-energy levels (∼ 10 eV). We consider two possible explanations: either the quasar is a low-ionization broad absorption line (BAL) quasar in which the sight-line does not intersect any BAL clouds or Lyα fluorescence is the main physical process involved in the formation of Fe iii. Our observations do not favour the BAL interpretation, but rather support the latter process. Higher resolution observations would give definite support to the Lya fluorescence.Keywords
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