NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013B-0275
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013B-0275 |
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PI: Patrick Hall, York University, yorkphall@gmail.com
Address: Department of Physics and Astronomy, 4700 Keele Street, North York, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
CoI: Paola Rodriguez Hidalgo, York University
CoI: W. Niel Brandt, Pennsylvania State University
CoI: Jesse Rogerson, York University
CoI: Nur Filiz Ak, Pennsylvania State University
CoI: Laura Chajet, York University
Title: Monitoring Emergent Absorption Troughs in Quasars
Abstract:
Outflows from luminous AGN are important ingredients in galaxy formation.
These outflows manifest as broad absorption line (BAL) troughs in quasar
spectra. Trough variability can be used to constrain the physical parameters
of these absorbing structures through comparison to models and simulations of
accretion disk winds. Monitoring appearing/disappearing BAL troughs can
constrain the distribution of BAL trough lifetimes along our line of sight.
By comparing spectra from the SDSS Data Release (DR) 7 and DR 9, we
identified 68 quasars in whose spectra new absorption troughs have appeared
over 300-1200 restframe days, including one trough outflowing at v=60,000
km/s. We are obtaining GMOS spectra of the brightest of those quasars (33 in
2013A and 17 proposed here) to measure the absorption strength in newly
appeared troughs <=300 restframe days after their previous measurement. We
also propose 16 Standard ToO observations of such quasars we expect to
identify in BOSS DR10 (July 2013). While we expect that some new troughs will
still be strengthening, a null result of no statistical change in absorption
strength would indicate a rapid onset of absorption from fast-moving,
sharp-edged absorbing structures, which simulations would have to match.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013B-0275 |
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