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Discovery of the most luminous quasar of the last 9 Gyr

Journal Article · · Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1017/pasa.2022.36· OSTI ID:1981807

Abstract We report the discovery of a bright ($g = 14.5$$mag (AB),$$K = 11.9$$mag (Vega)) quasar at redshift$$z=0.83$$— the optically brightest (unbeamed) quasar at$$z>0.4$$. SMSS J114447.77-430859.3, at a Galactic latitude of$$b=+18.1^{\circ}$$, was identified by its optical colours from the SkyMapper Southern Survey (SMSS) during a search for symbiotic binary stars. Optical and near-infrared spectroscopy reveals broad Mgii, H$$\unicode{x03B2}$$, H$$\unicode{x03B1}$$, and Pa$$\unicode{x03B2}$$emission lines, from which we measure a black hole mass of$$\log_{10}\! (M_{\mathrm{BH}}/\mathrm{M}_{\odot}) = 9.4 \pm 0.5$$. With its high luminosity,$$L_{\mathrm{bol}} = (4.7\pm1.0)\times10^{47}\,\mathrm{erg\,s}^{-1}$$or$$M_{i}(z=2) = -29.74$$mag (AB), we estimate an Eddington ratio of$$\approx1.4$$. As the most luminous quasar known over the last$${\sim}$$9 Gyr of cosmic history, having a luminosity$$8\times$greater than 3C 273, the source offers a range of potential follow-up opportunities.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
DOE Contract Number:
SC0014664
OSTI ID:
1981807
Journal Information:
Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia, Vol. 39; ISSN 1323-3580
Publisher:
CSIRO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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