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THE CONTRIBUTION FROM SCATTERED LIGHT TO QUASAR GALAXY HOSTS

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 09:21 authored by S Young, D J Axon, A Robinson, A Capetti
We present models representing the scattering of quasar radiation off free electrons and dust grains in geometries that approximate the structure of quasar host galaxies. We show that, for reasonable assumptions, scattering alone can easily produce ratios of nuclear (point source) to extended fluxes comparable to those determined in studies of quasar hosts. This result suggests that scattered quasar light, as well as stellar emission from the host galaxy, contributes significantly to the detected extended flux, leading to uncertainty in the inferred properties of quasar host. A significant contribution from scattered quasar light will lead to overestimates of the luminosity and hence mass of the host galaxy, and may also distort its morphology. Scattering of quasar light within the host galaxy may provide alternative explanations for the apparent peak in host luminosity at z = 2-3; possibly the overall average higher luminosity of radio-loud host galaxies relative to those of radio-quiet quasars (RQQs), and the apparent preference of high-luminosity RQQs for spheroidal rather than disk galaxies.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Astrophysical Journal Letters

ISSN

2041-8205

Issue

2

Volume

698

Page range

L121-L124

Department affiliated with

  • Physics and Astronomy Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2016-03-22

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2017-03-13

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