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Quasar Winds

Dr. G. Chartas, Department of Physics & Astronomy, College of Charleston
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When: Wednesday, 4th of August of 2010 at 2:00 pm
Where: 2nd Floor Seminar Room

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Abstract: We present results from the analysis of X-ray observations of
quasars that confirm the presence of near-relativistic outflows. The
signature of the fast outflow is revealed in X-ray broad absorption
lines that appear significantly blueshifted. 

We have developed a quasar outflow model that propagates the source flux
through an outflowing plasma. Results from fits of this model to the
X-ray spectra of BAL quasar APM08279 are presented. We confirm a
correlation between the maximum outflow velocity and the X-ray photon
index of APM08279 indicating that a likely driving mechanism is
radiation pressure. 

We estimate the driving force on the outflowing material as a function
of the  spectral energy distribution of the central source, the
properties of the shield and of the outflowing material and find that
within a certain range of parameters it is possible to drive the X-ray
absorbing material to high velocities.

We also use our outflow model to estimate the mass outflow rate and
efficiency of the outflow of APM08279 and show that the quasar wind can
significantly affect the formation of the host galaxy.
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