The gravitational lens candidate FBQ 1633+3134

Citation
Nd. Morgan et al., The gravitational lens candidate FBQ 1633+3134, ASTRONOM J, 121(2), 2001, pp. 611-618
Citations number
33
Categorie Soggetti
Space Sciences
Journal title
ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL
ISSN journal
00046256 → ACNP
Volume
121
Issue
2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
611 - 618
Database
ISI
SICI code
0004-6256(200102)121:2<611:TGLCF1>2.0.ZU;2-W
Abstract
We present our ground-based optical imaging, spectral analysis, and high-re solution radio mapping of the gravitational lens candidate FBQ 1633 + 3134. This z = 1.52, B = 17.7 quasar appears double on CCD images with an image separation of 0".66 and a relatively constant flux ratio of similar to3:1 a cross B, V, R, and I filters. A single 0.27 mJy radio source is detected at 8.46 GHz, coincident within an arc-second of both optical components, but no companion at radio wavelengths is detected for the system down to a flux level of 0.1 mJy (3 sigma). Spectral observations reveal a rich metal-line absorption system consisting of a strong Mg II doublet and associated Fe I and Fe II absorption features, all at an intervening redshift of z = 0.684 , suggestive of a lensing galaxy. Point-spread function subtraction of grou ndbased images however shows no obvious signs of a third object between the two quasar images and places a detection limit of if such an object exists . Although the possibility that FBQ I greater than or similar to 23.0 1633 + 3134 is a binary quasar cannot be ruled out, the evidence presented here is consistent with FBQ 1633 + 3134 being a single quasar lensed by a faint, metal-rich galaxy.