The galaxy components of BL Lacertae objects, N systems, and quasi-stellar objects.
Abstract
Spectroscopic investigations were carried out at Lick Observatory, University of California, Santa Cruz of the galaxy components of quasi-stellar objects (QSO's), N systems, and BL Lac objects. Details of the data on these systems are presented, showing that the BL Lac and N systems typically have a luminous elliptical galaxy associated with them. The BL objects are located in giant elliptical galaxies, the luminosities of which are equal to that of the brightest cluster ellipticals. The N systems have spectra indicating they are active nuclei in ellipticals, but the luminosities of the galaxy components are about two magnitudes fainter than a first-ranked cluster elliptical. No convincing spectroscopic data is currently available to show that QSO's are located in galaxies of stars, even though a few were found to have a surrounding nebulosity. Upper limits to the brightness of any elliptical galaxies associated with QSO's indicate that if such galaxies do exist, they are typically at least two magnitudes fainter than a first-ranked cluster elliptical.
- Publication:
-
Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
- Pub Date:
- December 1981
- DOI:
- 10.1086/130908
- Bibcode:
- 1981PASP...93..681M
- Keywords:
-
- Bl Lacertae Objects;
- Elliptical Galaxies;
- Galactic Nuclei;
- Quasars;
- Astronomical Observatories;
- Astronomical Photometry;
- Astronomical Spectroscopy;
- Galactic Clusters;
- Galactic Evolution;
- Luminosity;
- Nebulae;
- Red Shift;
- Spectrophotometry;
- Astronomy