Possible existence of two populations of quasistellar objects

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Astrophysics (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01005900· OSTI ID:5887380

Komberg, B V

The possible existence of two QSO populations with different properties is considered. The problem is discussed with reference to observational data for the occurrence of QSOs in groups and to a theoretical estimate of the possibility of fusion of member QSOs into a central giant cD galaxy. The fainter (population I) QSOs are identified with the nuclei of the primary galaxies in distant clusters, while brighter (population II) QSOs are identified with the nuclei of secondary (merged) cD galaxies in the centers of groups and poor clusters. Within these criteria, the distribution of population I QSOs must reflect the corresponding distribution of young galaxies which can be detected at magnitudes of 22 mag of more. It is shown that the known QSOs with magnitudes of less than 22 mag are mainly population II QSOs. It is found that the limits of background radiation for certain values of the spectral index and the slope of the optical dependence N(m) for both groups do not rule out the existence of numerous and faint population I QSOs. Some possible explanations are offered for the lack of population II QSOs in the regions occupied by rich clusters. 51 references.

• Research Organization: Institut Kosmicheskikh Issledovanii, Moscow, USSR
• OSTI ID: 5887380
• Journal Information: Astrophysics (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Astrophysics (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 20; ISSN ATPYA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
QUASARS