Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

Fuyan Bian

Publications and source records attributed to Fuyan Bian.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Ultra-luminous quasars at redshift $z>4.5$ from SkyMapper

The most luminous quasars at high redshift harbour the fastest-growing and most massive black holes in the early Universe. They are exceedingly rare and hard to find. Here, we present our search for the most luminous quasars in the redshift range from $z=4.5$ to $5$ using data from SkyMapper, Gaia and WISE. We use colours to select likely high-redshift quasars and reduce the stellar contamination of the candidate set with parallax and proper motion data. In $\sim$12,500~deg$^2$ of Southern sky, we find 92 candidates brighter than $R_p=18.2$. Spectroscopic follow-up has revealed 21 quasars at $z\ge 4$ (16 of which are within $z=[4.5,5]$), as well as several red quasars, BAL quasars and objects with unusual spectra, which we tentatively label OFeLoBALQSOs at redshifts of $z\approx 1$ to $2$. This work lifts the number of known bright $z\ge 4.5$ quasars in the Southern hemisphere from 10 to 26 and brings the total number of quasars known at $R_p<18.2$ and $z\ge 4.5$ to 42.

astro-ph.GA↗

Rest-frame UV and optical emission line diagnostics of ionised gas properties: a test case in a star-forming knot of a lensed galaxy at z~1.7

We examine the diagnostic power of rest-frame ultraviolet (UV) nebular emission lines, and compare them to more commonly used rest-frame optical emission lines, using the test case of a single star-forming knot of the bright lensed galaxy RCSGA 032727-132609 at redshift z~1.7. This galaxy has complete coverage of all the major rest-frame UV and optical emission lines from Magellan/MagE and Keck/NIRSPEC. Using the full suite of diagnostic lines, we infer the physical properties: nebular electron temperature (T_e), electron density (n_e), oxygen abundance (log(O/H)), ionisation parameter (log(q)) and interstellar medium (ISM) pressure (log(P/k)). We examine the effectiveness of the different UV, optical and joint UV-optical spectra in constraining the physical conditions. Using UV lines alone we can reliably estimate log(q), but the same is difficult for log(O/H). UV lines yield a higher (~1.5 dex) log(P/k) than the optical lines, as the former probes a further inner nebular region than the latter. For this comparison, we extend the existing Bayesian inference code IZI, adding to it the capability to infer ISM pressure simultaneously with metallicity and ionisation parameter. This work anticipates future rest-frame UV spectral datasets from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) at high redshift and from the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) at moderate redshift.

astro-ph.GA↗

Far-Infrared Properties of the Bright, Gravitationally Lensed Quasar J0439+1634 at z=6.5

We present IRAM/NOEMA, JCMT/SCUBA-2 and VLA observations of the most distant known gravitationally lensed quasar J0439+1634 at z = 6.5. We detect strong dust emission, [CII] 158 $μ$m, [CI] 369 $μ$m, [OI] 146 $μ$m, CO(6-5), CO(7-6), CO(9-8), CO(10-9), H$_{\rm 2}$O $3_{\rm 1,2}-2_{\rm 2,1}$, and H$_{\rm 2}$O $3_{\rm 2,1}-3_{\rm 1,2}$ lines as well as a weak radio continuum. The strong [CII] line yields a systemic redshift of the host galaxy to be z=6.5188$\pm$0.0001. The magnification makes J0439+1634 the far-infrared (FIR) brightest quasar at z > 6 known, with the brightest [CII] line yet detected at this redshift. The FIR luminosity is (3.4$\pm$0.2)$\times$10$^{13}$ $μ^{-1}$ $L_{\odot}$, where $μ$ $\sim$ 2.6 - 6.6 is the magnification of the host galaxy, estimated based on the lensing configuration from HST imaging. We estimate the dust mass to be (2.2$\pm$0.1)$\times$10$^{9}$ $μ^{-1}$ $M_{\odot}$. The CO Spectral Line Energy Distribution using four CO lines is best fit by a two-component model of the molecular gas excitation. The estimates of molecular gas mass derived from CO lines and atomic carbon mass are consistent, in the range of 3.9 - 8.9 $\times$10$^{10} μ^{-1}$ $M_{\odot}$. The [CII]/[CI], [CII]/CO, and [OI]/[CII] line luminosity ratios suggest a photodissociation region model with more than one component. The ratio of H$_{\rm 2}$O $3_{\rm 2,1}-3_{\rm 1,2}$ line luminosity to $L_{\rm TIR}$ is consistent with values in local and high redshift ultra-/hyper-luminous infrared galaxies. The VLA observations reveal an unresolved radio continuum source, and indicate that J0439+1634 is a radio quiet quasar with R = 0.05 - 0.17.

astro-ph.GA↗

Exploring Reionization-Era Quasars IV: Discovery of Six New $z \gtrsim 6.5$ Quasars with DES, VHS and unWISE Photometry

This is the fourth paper in a series of publications aiming at discovering quasars at the epoch of reionization. In this paper, we expand our search for $z\sim 7$ quasars to the footprint of the Dark Energy Survey (DES) Data Release One (DR1), covering $\sim 5000$ deg$^2$ of new area. We select $z\sim 7$ quasar candidates using deep optical, near-infrared (near-IR) and mid-IR photometric data from the DES DR1, the VISTA Hemisphere Survey (VHS), the VISTA Kilo-degree Infrared Galaxy (VIKING) survey, the UKIRT InfraRed Deep Sky Surveys -- Large Area Survey (ULAS) and the unblurred coadds from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explore ($WISE$) images (unWISE). The inclusion of DES and unWISE photometry allows the search to reach $\sim$ 1 magnitude fainter, comparing to our $z \gtrsim 6.5$ quasar survey in the northern sky (Wang et al. 2018). We report the initial discovery and spectroscopic confirmation of six new luminous quasars at $z>6.4$, including an object at $z=7.02$, the fourth quasar yet known at $z>7$, from a small fraction of candidates observed thus far. Based on the recent measurement of $z \sim 6.7 $ quasar luminosity function using the quasar sample from our survey in the northern sky, we estimate that there will be $\gtrsim$ 55 quasars at $z > 6.5$ at $M_{1450} < -24.5$ in the full DES footprint.

astro-ph.GA↗

The Discovery of A Luminous Broad Absorption Line Quasar at A Redshift of 7.02

Despite extensive efforts, only two quasars have been found at $z>7$ to date due to a combination of low spatial density and high contamination from more ubiquitous Galactic cool dwarfs in quasar selection. This limits our current knowledge of the super-massive black hole (SMBH) growth mechanism and reionization history. In this letter, we report the discovery of a luminous quasar at $z=7.021$, DELS J003836.10$-$152723.6 (hereafter J0038$-$1527), selected using photometric data from DESI Legacy imaging Survey (DELS), Pan-STARRS1 (PS1) imaging Survey, as well as Wide-field Infrared Survey Explore ($WISE$) mid-infrared all-sky survey. With an absolute magnitude of $M_{1450}$=$-$27.1 and bolometric luminosity of $L_{\rm Bol}$=5.6$\times$10$^{13}$ $L_\odot$, J0038$-$1527 is the most luminous quasar known at $z>7$. Deep optical to near infrared spectroscopic observations suggest that J0038-1527 hosts a 1.3 billion solar mass BH accreting at the Eddington limit, with an Eddington ratio of 1.25$\pm$0.19. The CIV broad emission line of J0038$-$1527 is blue-shifted by more than 3000 km s$^{-1}$ to the systemic redshift. More detailed investigations of the high quality spectra reveal three extremely high velocity CIV broad absorption lines (BALs) with velocity from 0.08 to 0.14 times the speed of light and total balnicity index of more than 5000 km s$^{-1}$, suggesting the presence of relativistic outflows. J0038$-$1527 is the first quasar found at the epoch of reionization (EoR) with such strong outflows and provides a unique laboratory to investigate AGN feedback on the formation and growth of the most massive galaxies in the early universe.

astro-ph.GA↗

Filling in the Quasar Redshift Gap at $z \sim 5.5$ II: A Complete Survey of Luminous Quasars in the Post-Reionization Universe

We present the final results from our survey of luminous $z \sim $ 5.5 quasars. This is the first systematic quasar survey focusing on quasars at $z \sim$ 5.5, during the post-reionization epoch. It has been challenging to select quasars at $5.3 < z < 5.7$ using conventional color selections, due to their similar optical colors to those of late-type stars, especially M dwarfs. We developed a new selection technique for $z \sim$ 5.5 quasars based on optical, near-IR, and mid-IR photometry, using data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), PanSTARR1 (PS1), the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Surveys - Large Area Survey, the UKIRT Hemisphere Survey, the VISTA Hemisphere Survey, and the Wide Field Infrared Survey Explorer ($WISE$), covering $\sim$ 11000 deg$^2$ of high galactic latitude sky. In this paper, we present the discovery of 15 new quasars at $z\sim 5.5$. Together with results from Yang et al. (2017), our survey provides a complete, flux-limited sample of 31 quasars at $5.3 \le z \le 5.7$. We measure the quasar spatial density at $z \sim 5.5$ and $M_{1450} < -26.2$. Our result is consistent with the rapid decline of quasar spatial density from $z = 5$ to 6, with $k=-0.66 \pm 0.05$ ($ρ(z) \propto 10^{kz}$). In addition, we present a new survey using optical colors only from the full PS1 area for luminous quasars at $z = 5.0 - 5.5$, beyond the SDSS footprint, and report the preliminary results from this survey, including 51 new quasars discovered at $4.61\le z \le5.71$.

astro-ph.GA↗

Exploring Reionization-Era Quasars III: Discovery of 16 Quasars at $6.4\lesssim z \lesssim 6.9$ with DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys and UKIRT Hemisphere Survey and Quasar Luminosity Function at $z\sim6.7$

This is the third paper in a series aims at finding reionzation-era quasars with the combination of DESI Legacy imaging Surveys (DELS) and near-infrared imaging surveys, such as the UKIRT Hemisphere Survey (UHS), as well as the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explore ($WISE$) mid-infrared survey. In this paper, we describe the updated quasar candidate selection procedure, report the discovery of 16 quasars at $6.4\lesssim z \lesssim6.9$ from area of $\sim$13,020 deg$^2$, and present the quasar luminosity function (QLF) at $z\sim6.7$. The measured QLF follows $Φ(L_{1450})\propto L_{1450}^{-2.35}$ in the magnitude range $27.6<M_{1450}<-25.5$. We determine the quasar comoving spatial density at $\langle z \rangle$=6.7 and $M_{1450}<-26.0$ to be $\rm 0.39\pm0.11 Gpc^{-3}$ and find that the exponential density evolution parameter to be $k=-0.78\pm0.18$ from $z\sim6$ to $z\sim6.7$, corresponding to a rapid decline by a factor of $\sim 6$ per unit redshift towards earlier epoch, a rate significantly faster than that at $z\sim 3- 5$. The cosmic time between $z\sim6$ and $z\sim6.7$ is only 121 Myrs. The quasar density declined by a factor of more than three within such short time requires that SMBHs must grow rapidly or they are less radiatively efficient at higher redshifts. We measured quasar comoving emissivity at $z\sim6.7$ which indicate that high redshift quasars are highly unlikely to make a significant contribution to hydrogen reionization. The broad absorption line (BAL) quasar fraction at $z\gtrsim6.5$ is measured to be $\gtrsim$22%. In addition, we also report the discovery of additional five quasars at $z\sim6$ in the appendix.

astro-ph.GA↗

The Discovery of a Gravitationally Lensed Quasar at z = 6.51

Strong gravitational lensing provides a powerful probe of the physical properties of quasars and their host galaxies. A high fraction of the most luminous high-redshift quasars was predicted to be lensed due to magnification bias. However, no multiple imaged quasar was found at z>5 in previous surveys. We report the discovery of J043947.08+163415.7, a strongly lensed quasar at z=6.51, the first such object detected at the epoch of reionization, and the brightest quasar yet known at z>5. High-resolution HST imaging reveals a multiple imaged system with a maximum image separation theta ~ 0.2", best explained by a model of three quasar images lensed by a low luminosity galaxy at z~0.7, with a magnification factor of ~50. The existence of this source suggests that a significant population of strongly lensed, high redshift quasars could have been missed by previous surveys, as standard color selection techniques would fail when the quasar color is contaminated by the lensing galaxy.

astro-ph.GA↗

A Giant Protocluster of Galaxies at Redshift 5.7

Galaxy clusters trace the largest structures of the Universe and provide ideal laboratories for studying galaxy evolution and cosmology. Clusters with extended X-ray emission have been discovered at redshifts up to z ~ 2.5. Meanwhile, there has been growing interest in hunting for protoclusters, the progenitors of clusters, at higher redshifts. It is, however, very challenging to find the largest protoclusters at early times when they start to assemble. Here we report a giant protocluster of galaxies at redshift z = 5.7, when the Universe was only one billion years old. This protocluster occupies a volume of about 35x35x35 cubic co-moving megaparsecs. It is embedded in an even larger overdense region with at least 41 spectroscopically confirmed, luminous Lyman-alpha emitting galaxies (Lyman-alpha Emitters, or LAEs), including several previously reported LAEs. Its LAE density is 6.6 times the average density at z ~ 5.7. It is the only one of its kind in an LAE survey in four square degrees on the sky. Such a large structure is also rarely seen in current cosmological simulations. This protocluster will collapse into a galaxy cluster with a mass of (3.6+/-0.9) x 10^{15} solar masses, comparable to those of the most massive clusters or protoclusters known to date.

astro-ph.GA↗

The Evolution of Chemical Abundance in Quasar Broad Line Region

We study the relation between the metallicity of quasar broad line region (BLR) and black hole (BH) mass ($10^{7.5}M_{\odot} \sim 10^{10}M_{\odot}$) and quasar bolometric luminosity ($10^{44.6}erg/s \sim 10^{48} erg/s$) using a sample of $\sim$130,000 quasars at $2.25\leq z\leq 5.25$ from Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 12 (DR12). We generate composite spectra by stacking individual spectra in the same BH mass (bolometric luminosity) and redshift bins and then estimate the metallicity of quasar BLR using metallicity-sensitive broad emission-line flux ratios based on the photoionization models. We find a significant correlation between quasar BLR metallicity and BH mass (bolometric luminosity) but no correlation between quasar BLR metallicity and redshift. We also compare the metallicity of quasar BLR and that of host galaxies inferred from the mass-metallicity relation of star-forming galaxy at $z\sim2.3$ and $z\sim3.5$. We find quasar BLR metallicity is 0.3 $\sim$ 1.0 dex higher than their host galaxies. This discrepancy cannot be interpreted by the uncertainty due to different metallicity diagnostic methods, mass-metallicity relation of galaxy, metallicity gradient in quasar host galaxies, BH mass estimation, the effect of different spectral energy distribution (SED) models, and a few other potential sources of uncertainties. We propose a possibility that the high metallicity in quasar BLR might be caused by metal enrichment from massive star formation in the nucleus region of quasars or even the accretion disk.

astro-ph.GA↗

A bright lensed galaxy at $z=5.4$ with strong Ly$α$ emission

We present a detailed study of a unusually bright, lensed galaxy at $z=5.424$ discovered within the CFHTLS imaging survey. With an observed flux of $i_{\rm AB}=23.0$, J141446.82+544631.9 is one of the brightest galaxies known at $z>5$. It is characterized by strong Ly$α$ emission, reaching a peak in (observed) flux density of $>10^{-16}~{\rm erg}~{\rm s}^{-1}~{\rm cm}^{-2}~{\rm Å}^{-1}$. A deep optical spectrum from the LBT places strong constraints on NV and CIV emission, disfavouring an AGN source for the emission. However, a detection of the NIV]~$λ$1486 emission line indicates a hard ionizing continuum, possibly from hot, massive stars. Resolved imaging from HST deblends the galaxy from a foreground interloper; these observations include narrowband imaging of the Ly$α$ emission, which is marginally resolved on $\sim$few~kpc scales and has EW$_0~\sim$ 260Å. The Ly$α$ emission extends over ~2000~${\rm km}~{\rm s}^{-1}$ and is broadly consistent with expanding shell models. SED fitting that includes Spitzer/IRAC photometry suggests a complex star formation history that include both a recent burst and an evolved population. J1414+5446 lies 30" from the centre of a known lensing cluster in the CFHTLS; combined with the foreground contribution this leads to a highly uncertain estimate for the lensing magnification in the range $5 \leq μ\leq 25$. Because of its unusual brightness J1414+5446 affords unique opportunities for detailed study of an individual galaxy near the epoch of reionization and a preview of what can be expected from upcoming wide-area surveys that will yield hundreds of similar objects.

astro-ph.GA↗

The gas-phase metallicities of star-forming galaxies in aperture-matched SDSS samples follow potential rather than mass or average surface density

We present a comparative study of the relation between the aperture-based gas-phase metallicity and three structural parameters of star-forming galaxies: mass ($\mathrm{M \equiv M_*}$), average potential ($Φ\equiv \mathrm{M_*/R_e}$) and average surface mass density ($Σ\equiv \mathrm{M_*/R_e^2}$; where $\mathrm{R_e}$ is the effective radius). We use a volume-limited sample drawn from the publicly available SDSS DR7, and base our analysis on aperture-matched sampling by selecting sets of galaxies where the SDSS fibre probes a fixed fraction of $\mathrm{R_e}$. We find that between 0.5 and 1.5 $\mathrm{R_e}$, the gas-phase metallicity correlates more tightly with $Φ$ than with either $\mathrm{M}$ or $Σ$, in that for all aperture-matched samples, the potential-metallicity relation has (i) less scatter, (ii) higher Spearman rank correlation coefficient and (iii) less residual trend with $\mathrm{R_e}$ than either the mass-metallicity relation and the average surface density-metallicity relation. Our result is broadly consistent with the current models of gas enrichment and metal loss. However, a more natural explanation for our findings is a local relation between the gas-phase metallicity and escape velocity.

astro-ph.GA↗

Discovery of the most ultra-luminous QSO using Gaia, SkyMapper and WISE

We report the discovery of the ultra-luminous QSO SMSS~J215728.21-360215.1 with magnitude $z=16.9$ and W4$=7.42$ at redshift 4.75. Given absolute magnitudes of $M_{145,\rm AB}=-29.3$, $M_{300,\rm AB}=-30.12$ and $\log L_{\rm bol}/L_{\rm bol,\odot} = 14.84$, it is the QSO with the highest unlensed UV-optical luminosity currently known in the Universe. It was found by combining proper-motion data from Gaia DR2 with photometry from SkyMapper DR1 and the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). In the Gaia database it is an isolated single source and thus unlikely to be strongly gravitationally lensed. It is also unlikely to be a beamed source as it is not discovered in the radio domain by either NVSS or SUMSS. It is classed as a weak-emission-line QSO and possesses broad absorption line features. A lightcurve from ATLAS spanning the time from October 2015 to December 2017 shows little sign of variability.

astro-ph.GA↗

Discovery of two bright $z\sim5$ quasars with SkyMapper, Pan-STARRS1 and WISE

We present a search for bright $z\sim5$ quasars using imaging data from SkyMapper Southern Survey, Pan-STARRS1 and the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). We select two sets of candidates using WISE with optical bands from SkyMapper and alternatively from Pan-STARRS1, limited to a magnitude of $i<18.2$. We follow up several candidates with spectroscopy and find that the four candidates common to both lists are quasars, while others turned out to be cool stars. Two of the four quasars, SMSS J013539.27-212628.4 at $z=4.86$ and SMSS J093032.58-221207.7 at $z=4.94$, are new discoveries and ranked among the dozen brightest known $z>4.5$ QSOs in the $i$-band.

astro-ph.GA↗

The ionisation parameter of star-forming galaxies evolves with the specific star formation rate

We investigate the evolution of the ionisation parameter of star-forming galaxies using a high-redshift ($z\sim 1.5$) sample from the FMOS-COSMOS survey and matched low-redshift samples from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. By constructing samples of low-redshift galaxies for which the stellar mass ($\mathrm{M}_{*}$), star formation rate (SFR) and specific star formation rate (sSFR) are matched to the high-redshift sample we remove the effects of an evolution in these properties. We also account for the effect of metallicity by jointly constraining the metallicity and ionisation parameter of each sample. We find an evolution in the ionisation parameter for main-sequence, star-forming galaxies and show that this evolution is driven by the evolution of sSFR. By analysing the matched samples as well as a larger sample of $z<0.3$, star-forming galaxies we show that high ionisation parameters are directly linked to high sSFRs and are not simply the byproduct of an evolution in metallicity. Our results are physically consistent with the definition of the ionisation parameter, a measure of the hydrogen ionising photon flux relative to the number density of hydrogen atoms.

astro-ph.GA↗

The Taipan Galaxy Survey: Scientific Goals and Observing Strategy

Taipan is a multi-object spectroscopic galaxy survey starting in 2017 that will cover 2pi steradians over the southern sky, and obtain optical spectra for about two million galaxies out to z<0.4. Taipan will use the newly-refurbished 1.2m UK Schmidt Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory with the new TAIPAN instrument, which includes an innovative 'Starbugs' positioning system capable of rapidly and simultaneously deploying up to 150 spectroscopic fibres (and up to 300 with a proposed upgrade) over the 6-deg diameter focal plane, and a purpose-built spectrograph operating from 370 to 870nm with resolving power R>2000. The main scientific goals of Taipan are: (i) to measure the distance scale of the Universe (primarily governed by the local expansion rate, H_0) to 1% precision, and the structure growth rate of structure to 5%; (ii) to make the most extensive map yet constructed of the mass distribution and motions in the local Universe, using peculiar velocities based on improved Fundamental Plane distances, which will enable sensitive tests of gravitational physics; and (iii) to deliver a legacy sample of low-redshift galaxies as a unique laboratory for studying galaxy evolution as a function of mass and environment. The final survey, which will be completed within 5 years, will consist of a complete magnitude-limited sample (i<17) of about 1.2x10^6 galaxies, supplemented by an extension to higher redshifts and fainter magnitudes (i<18.1) of a luminous red galaxy sample of about 0.8x10^6 galaxies. Observations and data processing will be carried out remotely and in a fully-automated way, using a purpose-built automated 'virtual observer' software and an automated data reduction pipeline. The Taipan survey is deliberately designed to maximise its legacy value, by complementing and enhancing current and planned surveys of the southern sky at wavelengths from the optical to the radio.

astro-ph.GA↗

A Magellan M2FS Spectroscopic Survey of Galaxies at 5.5<z<6.8: Program Overview and a Sample of the Brightest Lyman-alpha Emitters

We present a spectroscopic survey of high-redshift, luminous galaxies over four square degrees on the sky, aiming to build a large and homogeneous sample of Ly$α$ emitters (LAEs) at $z\approx5.7$ and 6.5, and Lyman-break galaxies (LBGs) at $5.5<z<6.8$. The fields that we choose to observe are well-studied, such as SXDS and COSMOS. They have deep optical imaging data in a series of broad and narrow bands, allowing efficient selection of galaxy candidates. Spectroscopic observations are being carried out using the multi-object spectrograph M2FS on the Magellan Clay telescope. M2FS is efficient to identify high-redshift galaxies, owing to its 256 optical fibers deployed over a circular field-of-view 30 arcmin in diameter. We have observed $\sim2.5$ square degrees. When the program is completed, we expect to identify more than 400 bright LAEs at $z\approx5.7$ and 6.5, and a substantial number of LBGs at $z\ge6$. This unique sample will be used to study a variety of galaxy properties and to search for large protoclusters. Furthermore, the statistical properties of these galaxies will be used to probe cosmic reionization. We describe the motivation, program design, target selection, and M2FS observations. We also outline our science goals, and present a sample of the brightest LAEs at $z\approx5.7$ and 6.5. This sample contains 32 LAEs with Ly$α$ luminosities higher than 10$^{43}$ erg s$^{-1}$. A few of them reach $\ge3\times10^{43}$ erg s$^{-1}$, comparable to the two most luminous LAEs known at $z\ge6$, `CR7' and `COLA1'. These LAEs provide ideal targets to study extreme galaxies in the distant universe.

astro-ph.GA↗

Spatially Resolved Patchy Lyman-$α$ Emission Within the Central Kiloparsec of a Strongly Lensed Quasar Host Galaxy at z = 2.8

We report the detection of extended Lyman-$α$ emission from the host galaxy of SDSS~J2222+2745, a strongly lensed quasar at $z = 2.8$. Spectroscopic follow-up clearly reveals extended Lyman-$α$ in emission between two images of the central active galactic nucleus (AGN). We reconstruct the lensed quasar host galaxy in the source plane by applying a strong lens model to HST imaging, and resolve spatial scales as small as $\sim$200 parsecs. In the source plane we recover the host galaxy morphology to within a few hundred parsecs of the central AGN, and map the extended Lyman-$α$ emission to its physical origin on one side of the host galaxy at radii $\sim$0.5-2 kpc from the central AGN. There are clear morphological differences between the Lyman-$α$ and rest-frame ultraviolet stellar continuum emission from the quasar host galaxy. Furthermore, the relative velocity profiles of quasar Lyman-$α$, host galaxy Lyman-$α$, and metal lines in outflowing gas reveal differences in the absorbing material affecting the AGN and host galaxy. These data indicate the presence of patchy local intervening gas in front of the central quasar and its host galaxy. This interpretation is consistent with the central luminous quasar being obscured across a substantial fraction of its surrounding solid angle, resulting in strong anisotropy in the exposure of the host galaxy to ionizing radiation from the AGN. This work demonstrates the power of strong lensing-assisted studies to probe spatial scales that are currently inaccessible by other means.

astro-ph.GA↗