English

BOSS Quasar Outflows Traced by C IV

Astrophysics of Galaxies 2023-09-07 v1

Abstract

We investigate possible factors that drive fast quasar outflows using a sample of 39,249 quasars at median redshift z\langle z \rangle \approx 2.17. Unique to this study, the quasar redshifts are re-measured based on the Mg II emission line, allowing for exploration of unprecedented outflow velocities (>6000 km/s) while maintaining statistical significance and uniformity. We measure reliable C IV blueshifts for 1178 quasars with velocities >2500 km/s. From those, 255(13) quasars have blueshifts above 4000(6000) km/s, with the highest C IV velocity \approx 7000 km/s. Several correlations are observed, where higher C IV blueshifts in general are in quasars with broader, weaker C IV emission profiles, weak He II emission, larger Eddington ratios, and bluer UV continuum slope across the rest-frame UV to Near-IR. Analysis reveals two primary factors contributing to faster outflows: higher Eddington ratios, and softer far-UV continuum (hν\nu >24.6 eV). We find supporting evidence that radiative line-driving may generate extreme outflow velocities, influenced by multiple factors as suggested by the aforementioned correlations. This evidence highlights the importance of considering a multi-dimensional parameter space in future studies when analyzing large C IV blueshifts to determine the fundamental causes of outflows.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2309.02491,
  title  = {BOSS Quasar Outflows Traced by C IV},
  author = {Jarred Gillette and Fred Hamann},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2309.02491},
  year   = {2023}
}

Comments

19 pages, 16 figures, submitted to Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

R2 v1 2026-06-28T12:13:31.635Z