Properties of quasar-galaxy associations and gravitational mesolensing by halo objects

A new catalog of 8382 close quasar-galaxy pairs is presented. The catalog w as composed using published catalogs of quasars and active galactic nuclei containing 11358 objects, as well as the LEDA catalog of galaxies, which co ntains on the order of 100 thousand objects. Based on these new data, the d ependence of the number of pairs on a = z(G)/z(Q) is analyzed, where z(G) a nd z(Q) are the redshifts of the galaxy and quasar, respectively, revealing an excess of pairs with a < 0. 1 and a > 0.9. This means that the galaxies in pairs are preferably located close to either the observer or the quasar and avoid intermediate distances along the line of sight to the quasar. Co mputer simulations demonstrate that it is not possible to explain this numb er of pairs with the observed distribution in a as the result of chance pos itional coincidences with a uniform spatial distribution of galaxies. Data on globular clusters show that the excess of pairs with a < 0. 1 and a > 0. 9 is consistent with the hypothesis that we are observing distant compact o bjects that are strongly gravitationally lensed by transparent lenses with a King mass distribution located in the halos of nearby galaxies. The Hubbl e diagram for galaxies and quasars is presented. Observational tests of the mesolensing hypothesis are formulated. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica ".