Mass models and environment of the new quadruply lensed quasar SDSS J1330+1810

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery and analysis of a new quadruply lensed quasar, including its mass modeling and environmental context, providing insights into lensing galaxy properties and the influence of nearby structures.

Contribution

The paper presents the discovery of SDSS J1330+1810 as a new quadruply lensed quasar with detailed mass modeling and environmental analysis, which is novel in its comprehensive approach.

Findings

Four quasar images with 1.76" separation identified

Mass models fit well but lens galaxy is brighter than expected

Nearby galaxy group influences lens potential

Abstract

We present the discovery of a new quadruply lensed quasar. The lens system, SDSS J1330+1810 at z_s=1.393, was identified as a lens candidate from the spectroscopic sample of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Optical and near-infrared images clearly show four quasar images with a maximum image separation of 1.76", as well as a bright lensing galaxy. We measure a redshift of the lensing galaxy of z_l=0.373 from absorption features in the spectrum. We find a foreground group of galaxies at z=0.31 centred ~120" southwest of the lens system. Simple mass models fit the data quite well, including the flux ratios between images, although the lens galaxy appears to be ~1 mag brighter than expected by the Faber-Jackson relation. Our mass modelling suggests that shear from nearby structure is affecting the lens potential.