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Physical Sciences and Mathematics

University of Kentucky

1998

Galaxies: Quasars: Emission Lines

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Quasars As Cosmological Probes: The Ionizing Continuum, Gas Metallicity, And The WΛ-L Relation, Kirk Korista, Jack Baldwin, Gary J. Ferland Nov 1998

Quasars As Cosmological Probes: The Ionizing Continuum, Gas Metallicity, And The WΛ-L Relation, Kirk Korista, Jack Baldwin, Gary J. Ferland

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Using a realistic model for line emission from the broad emission line regions of quasars, we are able to reproduce the previously observed correlations of emission-line ratios with the shape of the spectral energy distribution (SED). In agreement with previous studies, we find that the primary driving force behind the Baldwin effect (Wλ ~ Lβ, β < 0) is a global change in the SED with quasar luminosity, in that more luminous quasars must have characteristically softer ionizing continua. This is completely consistent with observations that show (1) a correlation between Luv, αox, and αuvx (2) correlations of SED shape-sensitive line ratios with αox, αuvx, and Luv; and (3) correlations between line equivalent widths and αox, αuvx …


The Ultraviolet-Optical Albedo Of Broad Emission Line Clouds, Kirk Korista, Gary J. Ferland Mar 1998

The Ultraviolet-Optical Albedo Of Broad Emission Line Clouds, Kirk Korista, Gary J. Ferland

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We explore the effective UV-optical albedos of a variety of types of broad emission line clouds, as well as their possible effects on the observed spectra of active galactic nuclei (AGNs). An important albedo source in moderately ionized ionization-bounded clouds is that which is due to neutral hydrogen: Rayleigh scattering of continuum photons off the extreme damping wings of Lyα. The photons resulting from this scattering mechanism may contribute significantly to the Lyα emission line, especially in the very broad wings. In addition, line photons emitted near 1200 Å (e.g., N V λ1240) that stream toward the neutral portion of …