Submillimetre detection of a high-redshift type 2 QSO

V Mainieri, D Rigopoulou, I Lehmann, S Scott, I Matute, O Almaini, P Tozzi, G Hasinger, J S Dunlop

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

We report on the first SCUBA detection of a type 2 QSO at z = 3.660 in the Chandra Deep Field South. This source is X-ray-absorbed, shows only narrow emission lines in the optical spectrum and is detected in the submillimetre: it is the ideal candidate in an evolution scheme for active galactic nuclei (AGN) (e.g. Fabian 1999; Page et al. 2004) of an early phase corresponding to the main growth of the host galaxy and formation of the central black hole. The overall photometry (from the radio to the X-ray energy band) of this source is well reproduced by the spectral energy distribution (SED) of NGC 6240, while it is incompatible with the spectrum of a type 1 QSO (3C 273) or a starburst galaxy (Arp 220). Its submillimetre (850 mum) to X-ray (2 keV) spectral slope (alpha(SX)) is close to the predicted value for a Compton-thick AGN in which only 1 per cent of the nuclear emission emerges through scattering. Using the observed flux at 850 mum we have derived a star formation rate of 550-680 M-circle dot yr(-1) and an estimate of the dust mass M-dust = 4.2 x 10(8) M-circle dot.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1571-1575
Number of pages5
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume356
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2005

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