Covering factor of quasar broad absorption line clouds

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/185210· OSTI ID:7089084

Morris, S L

Two different interpretations of the phenomenon of broad absorption line (BAL) QSOs are presented and a resolution is suggested. One interpretation is that the BAL clouds cover most of the sky as viewed from the quasar; this implies that BALQSOs are an usual subset of the general class of QSOs. The other interpretation suggests that the BAL clouds cover about 10 percent of the sky as viewed from the quasar; thus, most, if not all, quasars have BAL clouds. It is argued that neither extreme is correct, and that quasars have a range of BAL covering factors. An analysis is presented of emission-line strengths in BALQSOs relative to those of non-BALQSOs. 15 references.

• Research Organization: Mount Wilson and Las Campanas Observatories, Pasadena, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7089084
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Vol. 330
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
QUASARS
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
COSMIC GASES
EMISSION SPECTRA
NITROGEN
RADIATION TRANSPORT
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
NONMETALS
SPECTRA
640102* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources