Voyager and IUE observations of 3C 273 - detection of possible Lyman continuum absorption in a nearby (z = 0. 158) quasar

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/166037· OSTI ID:6996091

Reichert, G A; Wu, C C; Polidan, R S; Carone, T E

Results of near-simultaneous IUE and Voyager ultraviolet spectrometer (UVS) observations of 3C 273, obtained during the period of 1985 late July-early August are reported. The UVS data show a significant drop in flux for observed wavelengths below 1060 A. This may be due to Lyman continuum absorption in the rest frame of 3C 273. If so, then the lack of associated Lyman-alpha absorption severely constrains the properties of the absorbing medium. The most plausible explanation may therefore be that the edge is due to absorption in an accretion disk within the nucleus of 3C 273. Alternatively, models in which the drop in flux is due to a turnover in the underlying continuum cannot be excluded; this interpretation raises serious questions concerning the total energy budget in the broad-line regions. In either case, there can be no reddening of the source of continuum emission other than that due to the Galaxy. 56 references.

• Research Organization: Computer Sciences Corp., Baltimore, MD (USA); NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD (USA); Arizona Univ., Tucson (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6996091
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 325; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
ACCRETION DISKS
CONSTRAINTS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
LYMAN LINES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
QUASARS
RADIATION FLUX
SPACE VEHICLES
SPECTRA
SPECTROMETERS
ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROMETERS
VEHICLES
VOYAGER SPACE PROBES