A structure for quasars

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

A unified model for the evolution of galaxies and quasars

We incorporate a simple scheme for the growth of supermassive black holes into semi-analytic models that follow the formation and evolution of galaxies in a cold dark matter-dominated Universe. We assume that supermassive black holes are formed and fuelled during major mergers. If two galaxies of comparable mass merge, their central black holes coalesce and a few per cent of the gas in the merger remnant is accreted by the new black hole over a time-scale of a few times 10⁷ yr. With these simple assumptions, our model not only fits many aspects of the observed evolution of galaxies, but also reproduces quantitatively the observed relation between bulge luminosity and black hole mass in nearby galaxies, the strong evolution of the quasar population with redshift, and the relation between the luminosities of nearby quasars and those of their host galaxies. The strong decline in the number density of quasars from z ∼2 to z =0 is a result of the combination of three effects: (i) a decrease in the merging rate; (ii) a decrease in the amount of cold gas available to fuel black holes, and (iii) an increase in the time-scale for gas accretion. The predicted decline in the total content of cold gas in galaxies is consistent with that inferred from observations of damped Ly α systems. Our results strongly suggest that the evolution of supermassive black holes, quasars and starburst galaxies is inextricably linked to the hierarchical build-up of galaxies.     

A Doppler theory of quasars

We examine a Doppler theory of quasars in which it is assumed that a fraction of the total population of quasars are fired from centres of explosion with moderate cosmological redshifts. It is argued that the substantial part of the redshift of a typical high redshift quasar could be of Doppler origin. If Hoyle’s recent hypothesis that quasars emit the bulk of their radiation in a narrow backward cone is given a quantitative form, it is shown that the kinematic and emission parameters of this model can explain the observed features of the four aligned triplets of quasars discovered by Arp and Hazard (1980) and by Saslaw (personal communication). The model predicts a small but nonzero fraction of quasars with blueshifts. Further observational tests of the model are discussed.     

A new strategy for estimating photometric redshifts of quasars

Based on the SDSS and SDSS-WISE quasar datasets, we put forward two schemes to estimate the photometric redshifts of quasars. Our schemes are based on the idea that the samples are firstly classified into subsamples by a classifier and then a photometric redshift estimation of different subsamples is performed by a regressor. Random Forest is adopted as the core algorithm of the classifiers, while Random Forest and k NN are applied as the key algorithms of regressors. The samples are divided into two subsamples and four subsamples, depending on the redshift distribution. The performances based on different samples, different algorithms and different schemes are compared. The experimental results indicate that the accuracy of photometric redshift estimation for the two schemes generally improves to some extent compared to the original scheme in terms of the percents in (|?z|)/(1+zi) 0.1 and (|?z|)/(1+zi) 0.2 and mean absolute error. Only given the running speed, k NN shows its superiority to Random Forest. The performance of Random Forest is a little better than or comparable to that of k NN with the two datasets. The accuracy based on the SDSS-WISE sample outperforms that based on the SDSS sample no matter by k NN or by Random Rorest. More information from more bands is considered and helpful to improve the accuracy of photometric redshift estimation. Evidently, it can be found that our strategy to estimate photometric redshift is applicable and may be applied to other datasets or other kinds of objects. Only talking about the percent in (|?z|)/(1+zi) 0.3, there is still large room for further improvement in the photometric redshift estimation.     

Redshift-magnitude relations for quasars

Two cosmological models represent the observed magnitudes and redshifts of 150 quasars well with 〈Mv〉=?22.75 and ?22.67, respectively. The luminosity function is derived.     

A search for distant radio-loud quasars in the CLASS survey: three new radio-selected quasars at z > 4

We report on the search for distant radio-loud quasars in the Cosmic Lens All Sky Survey (CLASS) of flat spectrum radio sources with S _5GHz>30 mJy . Unresolved optical counterparts were selected from APM scans of POSS-I plates, with e <19.0 and red o − e >2.0 colours, in an effective area of ∼6400 deg². Four sources were found to be quasars with z >4 , of which one was previously known. This sample bridges the gap between the strong radio surveys with S _5GHz>200 mJy and the samples of radio-weak quasars that can be generated via radio observations of optically selected quasars. In addition, four new quasars at z >3 have been found. The selection criteria result in a success-rate of ∼1:7 for radio-loud quasars at z >4 , which is a significant improvement over previous studies. This search yields a surface density of 1 per 1600 deg², which is about a factor of ∼15 lower than that found in a similar search for radio-quiet quasars at z >4 . The study presented here is strongly biased against quasars beyond z >4.5 , since the e -passband of the POSS-I only samples the spectra shortward of 1200 Å at these redshifts.     

Evidence for evolution in the clustering of quasars

We discuss the changes in the amplitude of the correlation function of quasar clustering with the redshift. Using the new Hewitt-Burbidge QSO catalogue, we find from a statistical analysis of the quasar pairs that the positive results of quasar clustering are mainly contributed by low-redshift quasars. There is an obvious change in the quasar distribution at z = 2. There is no clustering for z > 2. The difference in clustering is not due to any selection effect on the brightness. The evidence is that quasar clustering evolved with cosmological time.     

On the alignment of quasars

Taking the two Savage-Bolton 5° × 5° regions of optical quasar patrol as samples, I made a systematic analysis of the number of aligned quasars and compared with the random data generated by Monte Carlo method. The statistical result is that, at least for these two samples, there is no clear evidence for alignment.     

On the largest angular size-redshift diagram for quasars

The envelope function in the largest angular size-redshift diagram for quasars is shown to be a consequence of the distribution of their redshifts and to have no intrinsic physical significance.     

A statistical study of the Lyman-Alpha absorption lines of nine quasars

We investigate the properties of the Lα absorption lines in the high resolution spectra of nine quasars, B2 1225+31.7, PKS 2126-158, Q 0002-422, Q 1453-423, PHL 957, PKS 0528-250, PKS 0805+046, PKS 1448-232 and PKS 1442+101. Their emission line redshift range is 2.20 ? z_em ? 3.54; a total of 350 Lα absorption lines cover the range 1.70 ? z_abs ? 3.54. Our analysis support the following conclusions; 1) the number density of Lα absorption lines is not significantly different in different quasars. 2) The number density does not vary significantly with redshift. 3) Their equivalent width spectrum does not vary significantly with redshift. 4) Their properties are the same whether in the wing of the Lα emission or in the continuum. 5) Their two-point correlation function is flat within the limit of resolution, which is different from the behaviour of galaxies. These results show that the Lα absorption lines in high-redshift quasars are very probably produced by intergalactic hydrogen clouds uniformly distributed throughout space.     

Distribution of quasars on the sky

It is shown that high-redshift quasars of bright apparent magnitude are concentrated in the direction of the centre of the Local Group of galaxies. A number of them are distributed along a line originating from the Local Group companion galaxy, M 33. A similar, but shorter and fainter line of quasars is seen emanating from the spiral galaxy NGC 300 in the next nearest, Sculptor Group of galaxies. The concentration of bright quasars in the Local Group direction is supported by bright radio sources catalogued in high-frequency surveys. One of the consequences of this large-scale inhomogeneity is to explain the different gradient of radio source counts in the direction of the Local Supercluster, a result discovered in 1978 but never investigated further. Previously reported homogeneity and isotropy of radio-source counts over the sky would seem to be an effect of integrating nearby, large-scale groupings with more distant, smaller-scale groupings over different directions in the sky. More careful analyses as a function of flux strength and spectral index on various scales over the sky are now required. Previous conclusions about radio source and quasar luminosity and number evolution drawn from logN- logS counts would then need to be re-evaluated.     

Alternative explanation for the spectral lines observed in quasars

It is shown that the emission lines observed in quasars can be satisfactorily explained as being due to laser action in certain atomic species in the expanding envelope of a star. There is no need to assume a redshift.     

A comparative HST imaging study of the host galaxies of radio-quiet quasars, radio-loud quasars and radio galaxies – I

We present the first results from a major HST WFPC2 imaging study aimed at providing the first statistically meaningful comparison of the morphologies, luminosities, scalelengths and colours of the host galaxies of radio-quiet quasars, radio-loud quasars and radio galaxies. We describe the design of this study and present the images that have been obtained for the first half of our 33-source sample. We find that the hosts of all three classes of luminous AGN are massive elliptical galaxies, with scalelengths ≃10 kpc, and R − K colours consistent with mature stellar populations. Most importantly, this is first unambiguous evidence that, just like radio-loud quasars, essentially all radio-quiet quasars brighter than M _R =−24 reside in massive ellipticals. This result removes the possibility that radio 'loudness' is directly linked to host galaxy morphology, but is however in excellent accord with the black hole/spheroid mass correlation recently highlighted by Magorrian et al. We apply the relations given by Magorrian et al. to infer the expected Eddington luminosity of the putative black hole at the centre of each of the spheroidal host galaxies we have uncovered. Comparison with the actual nuclear R -band luminosities suggests that the black holes in most of these galaxies are radiating at a few per cent of the Eddington luminosity; the brightest host galaxies in our low- z sample are capable of hosting quasars with M _R ≃− 28, comparable to the most luminous quasars at z ≃3. Finally, we discuss our host-derived black hole masses in the context of the radio luminosity:black hole mass correlation recently uncovered for nearby galaxies by Franceschini et al., and consider the resulting implications for the physical origin of radio loudness.     

Luminosity evolution of quasars

Based on four previous studies with standard-candle quasars and using the correct formula for the luminosity distance, we obtain an improved determination of the deceleration parameter, q₀ = +2.07. From the new catalog of quasars, we find the statistical $\text{m}\text{?}\text{(z) - z}$ relation and hence the mean quasar luminosity $\text{M}\text{?}\text{(z)}$ or $\text{M}\text{?}\text{(t)}$ and its rates of change $\text{d}\text{M}\text{?}\text{(z)}\text{dz}$ and $\text{d}\text{M}\text{?}\text{(t)}\text{dt}$. Finally, we discuss the question whether there is a Malmquist effect in our sample and the question of the dichotomy of published q₀-values.