Quasar Absorption Lines as a Function of Quasar Orientation Measures
Abstract
We present high resolution radio data at 3.5 and 20 cm from the VLA in the A configuration for 144 quasars with known CIV absorption line properties. Using these measurements, we compare and contrast a number of quasar orientation indicators. These quantities are used to study the velocity distribution of CIV absorption lines as a function of quasar orientation measures. That there is an excess of narrow, high-velocity CIV absorbers in flat-spectrum quasars as compared to steep-spectrum quasars is confirmed. Orientation indicators that are not based upon spectral indices (e.g. R_V and the core-to-lobe ratio) do not show the same effect. These seemingly contradictory results may be reconciled if the absorber distribution is not strictly a function of orientation, but rather a function of intrinsic radio properties that may or may not be good orientation indicators.
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0101063,
title = {Quasar Absorption Lines as a Function of Quasar Orientation Measures},
author = {Gordon T. Richards and S. A. Laurent-Muehleisen and Robert H. Becker and Donald G. York},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0101063},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
34 pages, 7 figures, 3 tables, ApJ in press