The Hubble relation for a comprehensive sample of QSOs

A correlation between redshifts (z) and apparent magnitudes (V) (Hubble relation) of Quasi Stellar Objects (QSOs) has long been sought. Such a correlation exists for galaxies whose redshifts are of cosmological origin. However, a plot of the two quantities representing the Hubble diagram for QSOs exhibits, in general, a wild scatter. This raises the question whether redshifts of QSOs are cosmological. On the other hand, most luminous QSOs in groups, and subsamples with particular properties, have been reported to show the Hubble relation. In the present paper, we analyse all optically non-variable QSOs in a comprehensive sample. In our analysis we grouped the objects into certain intervals of apparent magnitudes. Correlations obtained between redshifts and magnitudes are all statistically robust. Also, the Hubble relation in the usual formV = 5 logz +C is obeyed very convincingly for QSOs withV < 19.5.     

Redshifts and the Hubble diagrams of Quasi-Stellar Objects

In order to investigate the nature of the redshifts of QSOs, Hubble diagrams have been plotted. First, [log (cz),m _v ] pairs have been plotted for a sample of 252 QSOs. This sample has been drawn from the recent catalogue (Burbidgeet al., 1977) of 633 QSOs after excluding those for which either the redshifts are uncertain or theV magnitudes are not known accurately. Before plotting,K-correction has been applied to theV magnitudes. A least-squares linear fit has been obtained for this plot and, as a result, we get a slope of 0.165±0.012 against 0.2 expected theoretically on the basis of the assumption that the QSOs are at cosmological distances implied by their redshifts. The discrepancy in the value of the slope has been attributed partly to the uncertainty in theK-correction and partly to the evolutionary effect. In order to eliminate the uncertainty due to theK-correction, [log (cz), logf(H)] pairs have been plotted for a sample of 52 QSOs and a least-squares linear fit has been obtained which has a slope of –0.497±0.076, in close agreement with the theoretically expected value of –0.5. This lends support to the hypothesis that the redshifts of the QSOs are cosmological in nature. Finally, the evolutionary effect has been examined, and we conclude that the QSOs do evolve in luminosity in course of time.     

Distribution of gaps in emission line redshifts of QSOs

A gap in the distribution of a parameter is simply the absence of the parameter for the values corresponding to the gap. The gap in the emission line redshift (z) of QSOs thus represents absence of QSOs with emission line redshift values corresponding to the gap region. Gaps in emission line redshifts of QSOs have been analysed statistically with updated data consisting of 1549 values. The study indicates: (i) There is a critical redshiftz _c =2.4, which separates two distinct phases in the creation of QSOs. Forz>z _c , the creation appears to have been a slow process. Atz?z _c there was a triggering action which produced a burst of QSOs simultaneously. Forz _c , the rate of production of QSOs have been fast. (ii) The distribution of gaps atz _c ; appear to be consequence of periodicities, provided the periodicities involved are perfect and the redshift values are accurate. (iii) The distribution of gaps atz>z _c are not random, but follow a definite trend.     

Variability of extragalactic objects in relation to redshift, color, radio spectral index and absorption lines

Optical variability of extragalactic objects, viz., QSOs, BL Lacs and Seyfert galaxies has been monitored systematically over an appreciable period of time and a large amount of data have accumulated. The present work reports results of investigations involving statistical analysis of updated data on relationships between variability and various observed properties of the objects, viz., redshift, color indices, radio spectral index and absorption lines. It is found that at high frequencies (rest frame) radio spectral index does not change significantly with the degree of variability. However, the degree of variability depends on redshifts. On the other hand, presence or absence of absorption lines is significantly associated with variability for QSOs with larger redshifts (z > 1.0), while no such relationship exists for QSOs at smaller redshifts (z < 1.0) or other objects. Correlation between color indices and redshifts depends on the degree of variability and the sample chosen for the color index.     

The environments of intermediate-redshift QSOs: 0.3 < z < 0.7

An angular correlation of low significance (2 σ ) is observed between 0.3< z <0.5 QSOs and V 23 galaxies. Overall, the cross-correlation function between 82 intermediate-redshift (0.3< z <0.7) X-ray selected QSOs and V ≲24 galaxies is investigated, but no signal is detected for the z >0.5 QSOs. After converting to an excess of galaxies physically associated with the QSO, this lack of strong correlation is shown to be consistent with the clustering of normal galaxies at the same moderate redshifts. Combined with previous observations, these results imply that the environments of radio-quiet QSOs do not undergo significant evolution with respect to the galaxy population over a wide range of redshifts (0< z <1.5). This is in marked contrast to the rapid increase in the richness of the environments associated with radio-loud QSOs over the same redshift range.     

Limits on Dust Extinction in B3 QSOS

The broad range of optical–infrared colours of radio QSOs,1 < B-K < 6, has been cited as evidence for several mag of dust extinction (Webster et al.. If such large extinctions are typical, the implications for our understanding of the space density of optically selected QSOs are profound. We have previously found that the host galaxies of several of the reddest B3 QSOs are readily detectable in K-band images. This suggests contamination of the K apparent magnitudes by starlight, i.e. the redness in B-Kmay be due to excess light in K, rather than to dust extinction of the B light. We have now imaged the B3 QSOs inUBVR, and we use the range of observed optical and optical–IR colours to place an upper limit on the amount of dust extinction present, rest-frame A _V < 1.5 mag. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Statistical analysis of correlation between the positions of quasars and the uppsala galaxies

The question of the association of quasars with galaxies is re-examined using 785 quasars at |b| 30, δ − 02°30′ in the new Hewitt and Burbidge Catalog (1980) and all galaxies in the “Uppsala General Catalogue of Galaxies” (Nilson, 1973). The results of the two-point cross-correlation function are presented and they show that there are on the average 0.153 ± 0.011 more galaxies within 10'.0 of a QSO than would be expected if the QSOs were distributed randomly. We find the marginal significance of the tendency for correlation between QSOs and galaxies to increase with increasing redshifts z or apparent magnitudes V. The nearest neighbor test has also been taken to analyse the same data as well as get further evidence for the apparent association between QSOs and galaxies.     

Effect of changes in magnitudes of QSOs in their redshift distribution

Strong emission lines may change the brightness of QSOs and hence their observed magnitudes. Since different lines will affect the magnitudes by entering a particular filter at different redshifts, this effect may alter the number of QSOs at a particular redshift and hence the redshift distribution. The present analysis shows that the influence of the emission lines on the U and B magnitudes are significantly correlated to the redshift distribution. It is concluded that the changes in observed magnitudes of QSOs caused by the emission lines have significant effects on the present redshift distribution.     

Absorption features of QSOs

Absorption features shown by QSOs may be identified and measured as reported absorption redshift systems, or may remain unidentified and not measured. The features are believed to be observed in objects with high emission redshifts (z _em), although no quantitative analysis exists to examine any such preferential trend, except that by Basu (1982). However, redshift data have since increased enormously both in range of the redshift spectrum and in number. Furthermore, the earlier analysis was based on only the reported absorption redshifts while unidentified absorption features were not dealt with. The present paper analyses the updated data, both identified and unidentified features. It is found that absorption features may be expressed as exponential function ofz _em, and upper limits are set for the percentage of QSOs showing absorption features. Finally, an entirely new method of analysis confirms the earlier conclusion of Basu (1982) that the appearance of absorbing clouds is closely associated with the creation of the QSOs, the two may be having a common cause. It is suggested that absorption QSOs may be a separate class of QSOs whose birth is accompanied with creation of absorbing clouds.     

Absorption line redshifts of QSOs in relation to their emission line redshifts

Analysis of the recent data indicate that absorption line redshifts of QSOs are significantly correlated to their emission line redshifts. It is concluded that the absorption lines originate in materials intrinsic to the QSOs.     

An X-ray hubble diagram for quasi-stellar objects

To form the Hubble diagram for quasi-stellar objects (QSOs),we have made use of the recently published data on X-ray fluxes of 159 QSOs observed from the Einstein Observatory. The scatter in the Hubble diagram and the lack of an obvious redshift-flux density correlation for these QSOs have been attributed to the observational selection effect that the intrinsically less luminous QSOs can be detected only in the nearby region of space. When the optical, radio and X-ray selection effects are removed, keeping only the intrinsically brighter sources, we obtain a sample of 16 QSOs having a small dispersion in X-ray luminosities (〈 logL _x〉) = 46.12 ± 0.28), a statistically significant linear correlation between (logf _x, logcz) pairs and a slopeA =-1.906 ± 0.061 of the linear regression oflog f _x on logcz. This slope is consistent, at a confidence level of 95 per cent or greater, with the slope of-2.0 expected theoretically based on the assumption that the redshifts of QSOs are cosmological in nature.     

Emission line redshift distribution of QSOs

This paper is the second one of a series of papers on the redshift distribution of QSOs. In this paper, we shall study the influence of the selection effect in the identification of emission lines on the redshift distribution of QSOs more thoroughly than the previous paper (Zhouet al., 1983). If we assume that the QSO's redshift is cosmological, adopt the standard model, and consider the selection effect due to the redshift identification, the limiting apparent magnitude in the observation and the evolutionary effect of QSOs, we can compute the emission line redshift distribution for the so-called optically selected QSOs discovered by objective prism, grating prism technique alone, the QSOs discovered by positional methods or by colour technique and for whole QSOs, respectively (see Figures 6, 11, 12). The results of computation agree with the observations very well, especially for optically selected QSOs; the computational distribution has almost the same shape with the observational one. For this kind of the QSOs the computational distribution may give the positions and heights of all these observed peaks. The correlation coefficient between the calculated and observed distributions is larger than 0.95. It shows that (a) the peaks and dips in the redshift distribution of QSOs are mainly caused by the selection effect in the redshift identification, and (b) the redshift of QSOs is cosmological.     

Triggered star formation in the LMC4/Constellation III region of the Large Magellanic Cloud

We present multicolour images of the hosts of three z  = 2 QSOs previously detected in the R band by our group. The luminosities, colours and sizes of the hosts overlap with those of actively star-forming galaxies in the nearby Universe. Surface brightness radial profiles over the outer resolved areas roughly follow either an r ^1/4 or an exponential law. These properties give support to the young host galaxy interpretation of the extended light around QSOs at high redshift. The rest-frame UV and UV–optical colours are inconsistent with the hypothesis of a scattered halo of light from the active nucleus by a simple optically thin scattering process produced by dust or hot electrons. If the UV light is indeed stellar, star formation rates of hundreds of solar masses per year are implied, an order of magnitude larger than in field galaxies at similar redshifts and above. This might indicate that the QSO phenomenon (at least the high-luminosity one) is preferentially accompanied by enhanced galactic activity at high redshifts.     

The effect of a relative infinity on cosmological redshifts

We present anon-general relativistic cosmological model with the following features.

All cosmological objects appear to be receding from each other. There are two mathematically distinct types of objects.

Type I objects have apparent magnitudes and apparent angular diameters comparable to those for standard FLRW models. Their redshifts are bounded; this bound is at least 3.

Type II objects can have unlimited redshifts. They appear significantly smaller than Type I objects with the same redshift, and (for redshifts greater than 1) appear brighter (and more so for larger redshifts).

The model is an extension of classical de Sitter spacetime in which the location of infinity is allowed to be relative.     

Gravitationally lensed QSOs in the ISSIS/WSO-UV era

Gravitationally lensed QSOs (GLQs) at 1≤z≤2 play a key role in understanding the cosmic evolution of the innermost parts of active galaxies (black holes, accretion disks, coronas and internal jets), as well as the structure of galaxies at intermediate redshifts. With respect to studies of normal QSOs, GLQ programmes have several advantages. For example, a monitoring of GLQs may lead to unambiguous detections of intrinsic and extrinsic variations. Both kinds of variations can be used to discuss central engines in distant QSOs, and mass distributions and compositions of lensing galaxies. In this context, UV data are of particular interest, since they correspond to emissions from the immediate surroundings of the supermassive black hole. We describe some observation strategies to analyse optically bright GLQs at z∼1.5, using ISSIS (CfS) on board World Space Observatory-Ultraviolet.     

Classical cosmological tests for galaxies of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field

Images of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field are analyzed to obtain a catalog of galaxies for which the angular sizes, surface brightness, photometric redshifts, and absolute magnitudes are found. The catalog contains a total of about 4000 galaxies identified at a high signal-to-noise ratio, which allows the cosmological relations angular size—redshift and surface brightness-redshift to be analyzed. The parameters of the evolution of linear sizes and surface brightness of distant galaxies in the redshift interval 0.5–6.5 are estimated in terms of a grid of cosmological models with different density parameters (Ω _V ; Ω _m ). The distribution of photometric redshifts of galaxies is analyzed and possible superlarge inhomogeneities in the radial distribution of galaxies are found with scale lengths as large as 2000 Mpc.     

A pilot survey for KX QSOs in the UKIDSS Ultra Deep Survey Field

We have undertaken a pilot survey for faint quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) in the UKIRT Infrared Deep Survey (UKIDSS) Ultra Deep Survey (UDS) Field using the KX selection technique. These observations exploit the very deep near-infrared and optical imaging of this field from United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) and Subaru to select candidate QSOs based on their VJK colours and morphologies. We determined redshifts for 426 candidates using the AAOmega spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope in service time. We identify 17 QSOs  ( M _B ≲−23)  in this pilot survey at z = 1.57–3.29. We combine our sample with an X-ray-selected sample of QSOs in the same field (a large fraction of which also comply with our KX selection) to constrain the surface density of QSOs with K ≤ 20, deriving limits on the likely surface density of 85–150 deg⁻². We use the good image quality available from our near-infrared imaging to detect a spatially extended component of the QSO light which probably represents the host galaxies. We also use our sample to investigate routes to improve the selection of KX QSOs at faint limits in the face of the significant contamination by compact, foreground galaxies. The brightest examples from our combined QSO sample will be used in conjunction with a large Very Large Telescope VIMOS spectroscopic survey of high-redshift galaxies in this region to study the structures inhabited by gas, galaxies and growing supermassive black holes at high redshifts in the UKIDSS UDS.     

Redshift cutoff and evolution of QSOs

In this paper I present a new evolution model of QSOs luminosity. The model is based on edges distribution of apparent magnitude-redshift of QSOs. After the quasars were formed, the luminosities were increasing until they attained their maximum value atz=2+a, where –0.1a0.6, then the luminosities were decreasing. If the QSOs originate from superconducting cosmic string of same initial massM _i 10¹² M , the formation epochs are different, most of the quasars start atz _cutoff5.6. The most luminous QSOs start at later epochz _cutoff5.15. The present sky survey echniques may give us the possibility to see the formation of QSOs at apparent magnitudem _V 22.5 by chance of 0.3%.     

Are QSOs local objects?

The similarities of the spectra of QSOs with those of Wolf-Rayet stars are pointed out. The emission spectrum of the earliest discovered QSO, 3C 273, in the ultraviolet and visible regions is interpreted as that of an object deficient in hydrogen like Wolf-Rayet stars but havingno redshift. The visible emission spectra of two other QSOs, 3C 48 and 3C 280.1, are also similarly interpreted. It is further assumed that the absorption lines of QSOs are produced in an expanding atmosphere so that they are violet shifted as in Wolf-Rayet stars. Fifty-four out of 55 narrow absorption lines of the QSO Q 1246-057 are interpreted on the assumption that the average velocity of the absorbing ions is 500 km s^–1, although the redshift theory can explain only 23 lines by invoking six different redshifts: Four of the five emission lines of the same object can be identified assuming no shift. Since the QSOs are here assumed to be comparatively local objects, the problems of energy supply, superluminal velocities, etc., raised by the conventional explanation do not arise in this case.Presently at the Institut für Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie, Universität Erlangen, F.R.G.     

A determination of the K-correction for quasars

The K-correction is made up of an emission line component and a continuum component. These two components are iteratively determined in this paper from line widths and intensities, redshifts, U,B,V colours and radio spectral indices for 355 quasars. The colors B-V and U-B, corrected for the emission line portion of the K-correction, are plotted against Z, giving 2 mean relations. Eliminating Z between these gives a mean optical continuum, which is then used to calculate the continuum portion of the K-correction.