The most luminous object in the universe - A challenge for any paradigm

A. Lawrence; M. Rowan-Robinson; S. M. Scarrott; R. G. McMahon; T. J. Broadhurst

The most luminous object in the universe - A challenge for any paradigm

A. Lawrence, M. Rowan-Robinson, S. M. Scarrott, R. G. McMahon, T. J. Broadhurst

School of Physics and Astronomy

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract / Description of output

We have identified an IRAS source with a narrow emission line object at z=2.286. It is arguably the most luminous known object, but is not a quasar; it could be a hidden quasar or possibly a proto-galaxy. New observations show asymmetric structure to the NNE in optical and near-IR images, and an elongated radio source, whose major axis is perpendicular to the extended optical emission. The object is very highly polarized, suggesting that most or all of the optical-UV light we see is scattered light, and that the source geometry is highly anisotropic. These properties are reminiscent of Type 2 Seyfert galaxies and high-redshift radio galaxies; on the other hand the diffuse nature of the radio source argues strongly for a burst of star formation.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Testing the AGN paradigm diagnostics
Pages	640-643
Publication status	Published - 1 May 1992

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

Infrared Imagery
Light Scattering
Luminous Intensity
Red Shift
Seyfert Galaxies
Spectral Line Width
Emission Spectra
Infrared Astronomy Satellite
Near Infrared Radiation
Quasars
Radio Galaxies
Star Formation
Universe

Access to Document

http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1992AIPC..254..640L

Cite this

@inproceedings{155839f75a1a43eb9b146aaa5b0719c2,

title = "The most luminous object in the universe - A challenge for any paradigm",

abstract = "We have identified an IRAS source with a narrow emission line object at z=2.286. It is arguably the most luminous known object, but is not a quasar; it could be a hidden quasar or possibly a proto-galaxy. New observations show asymmetric structure to the NNE in optical and near-IR images, and an elongated radio source, whose major axis is perpendicular to the extended optical emission. The object is very highly polarized, suggesting that most or all of the optical-UV light we see is scattered light, and that the source geometry is highly anisotropic. These properties are reminiscent of Type 2 Seyfert galaxies and high-redshift radio galaxies; on the other hand the diffuse nature of the radio source argues strongly for a burst of star formation.",

keywords = "Infrared Imagery, Light Scattering, Luminous Intensity, Red Shift, Seyfert Galaxies, Spectral Line Width, Emission Spectra, Infrared Astronomy Satellite, Near Infrared Radiation, Quasars, Radio Galaxies, Star Formation, Universe",

author = "A. Lawrence and M. Rowan-Robinson and Scarrott, {S. M.} and McMahon, {R. G.} and Broadhurst, {T. J.}",

year = "1992",

month = may,

day = "1",

language = "English",

pages = "640--643",

booktitle = "Testing the AGN paradigm diagnostics",

}

TY - GEN

T1 - The most luminous object in the universe - A challenge for any paradigm

AU - Lawrence, A.

AU - Rowan-Robinson, M.

AU - Scarrott, S. M.

AU - McMahon, R. G.

AU - Broadhurst, T. J.

PY - 1992/5/1

Y1 - 1992/5/1

N2 - We have identified an IRAS source with a narrow emission line object at z=2.286. It is arguably the most luminous known object, but is not a quasar; it could be a hidden quasar or possibly a proto-galaxy. New observations show asymmetric structure to the NNE in optical and near-IR images, and an elongated radio source, whose major axis is perpendicular to the extended optical emission. The object is very highly polarized, suggesting that most or all of the optical-UV light we see is scattered light, and that the source geometry is highly anisotropic. These properties are reminiscent of Type 2 Seyfert galaxies and high-redshift radio galaxies; on the other hand the diffuse nature of the radio source argues strongly for a burst of star formation.

AB - We have identified an IRAS source with a narrow emission line object at z=2.286. It is arguably the most luminous known object, but is not a quasar; it could be a hidden quasar or possibly a proto-galaxy. New observations show asymmetric structure to the NNE in optical and near-IR images, and an elongated radio source, whose major axis is perpendicular to the extended optical emission. The object is very highly polarized, suggesting that most or all of the optical-UV light we see is scattered light, and that the source geometry is highly anisotropic. These properties are reminiscent of Type 2 Seyfert galaxies and high-redshift radio galaxies; on the other hand the diffuse nature of the radio source argues strongly for a burst of star formation.

KW - Infrared Imagery

KW - Light Scattering

KW - Luminous Intensity

KW - Red Shift

KW - Seyfert Galaxies

KW - Spectral Line Width

KW - Emission Spectra

KW - Infrared Astronomy Satellite

KW - Near Infrared Radiation

KW - Quasars

KW - Radio Galaxies

KW - Star Formation

KW - Universe

M3 - Conference contribution

SP - 640

EP - 643

BT - Testing the AGN paradigm diagnostics

ER -

The most luminous object in the universe - A challenge for any paradigm

Abstract / Description of output

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this