Young, S, Axon, D J, Robinson, A and Capetti, A (2009) THE CONTRIBUTION FROM SCATTERED LIGHT TO QUASAR GALAXY HOSTS. Astrophysical Journal Letters, 698 (2). L121-L124. ISSN 2041-8205

Preview

PDF - Published Version Download (151kB) | Preview

Abstract

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.

Item Type:	Article
Schools and Departments:	School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User:	David Axon
Date Deposited:	06 Feb 2012 21:13
Last Modified:	13 Mar 2017 14:28
URI:	http://srodev.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/30334

View download statistics for this item

📧 Request an update