| Type |
Journal Article |
| Names |
I. Wold, A. I. Sheinis, M. J. Wolf, E. J. Hooper |
| Publication |
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |
| Volume |
408 |
| Issue |
2 |
| Pages |
713-730 |
| Date |
October 1, 2010 |
| Short Title |
Host galaxies of luminous quasars |
| URL |
http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2010MNRAS.408..713W |
| Library Catalog |
NASA ADS |
| Abstract |
There is increasing evidence of a connection between active
galactic nuclei (AGN) activity and galaxy evolution. To obtain further
insight into this potentially important evolutionary phase, we analyse
the properties of quasar host galaxies. In this paper, we present a
population synthesis modelling technique for off-axis spectra, the
results of which constrain host colour and the stellar ages of luminous
quasars [MV(nuc) < -23]. Our technique is similar to
well-established quiescent-galaxy models, modified to accommodate
scattered nuclear light (a combination of atmospheric, instrumental and
host galaxy scattered light) observed off axis. In our model, the
subtraction of residual scattered quasar light is performed, while
simultaneously modelling the constituent stellar populations of the host
galaxy. The reliability of this technique is tested via a Monte Carlo
routine in which the correspondence between synthetic spectra with known
parameters and the model output is determined. Application of this model
to a preliminary sample of 10 objects is presented and compared to
previous studies. Spectroscopic data were obtained via long-slit and
integral-field unit observations on the Keck and Wisconsin Indiana Yale
and NOAO (WIYN) telescopes. We confirm that elliptical quasar hosts are
distinguishable (bluer) from inactive ellipticals in rest-frame B - V
colour. Additionally, we note a trend for radio luminous
(L5GHz >~ 1040ergs-1) quasars to be
located in redder host galaxies in comparison to their less luminous
radio counterparts. While the host colour and age of our radio luminous
sample are in close proximity to the green valley, our radio faint
sample is consistent with quiescent star-forming galaxies. However,
further observations are needed to confirm these results. Finally, we
discuss future applications for our technique on a larger sample of
objects being obtained via Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) and
WIYN telescope observing campaigns. |
| Tags |
GALAXIES: EVOLUTION, galaxies: active, galaxies: formation, quasars: general |