Major contributor to AGN feedback: VLT X-shooter observations of SIV BAL QSO outflows

TL;DR

This paper reports the most energetic quasar outflow observed to date, with significant implications for active galactic nucleus feedback, based on VLT X-shooter observations of SIV BALs in high ionization broad absorption line quasars.

Contribution

It introduces a novel measurement of the most energetic BALQSO outflow using SIV and SIV* lines, extending understanding of outflow energetics and distances in high ionization quasars.

Findings

Outflow kinetic luminosity of at least 10^46 ergs/s.

Mass flow rate of approximately 400 solar masses per year.

Outflows located at 100-2000 pc from the quasar.

Abstract

We present the most energetic BALQSO outflow measured to date, with a kinetic luminosity of at least 10^46 ergs/s, which is 5% of the bolometric luminosity of this high Eddington ratio quasar. The associated mass flow rate is 400 solar masses per year. Such kinetic luminosity and mass flow rate should provide strong AGN feedback effects. The outflow is located at about 300 pc from the quasar and has a velocity of roughly 8000 km/s. Our distance and energetic measurements are based in large part on the identification and measurement of SIV and SIV* BALs. The use of this high ionization species allows us to generalize the result to the majority of high ionization BALQSOs that are identified by their CIV absorption. We also report the energetics of two other outflows seen in another object using the same technique. The distances of all 3 outflows from the central source (100-2000pc) suggest that we observe BAL troughs much farther away from the central source than the assumed acceleration region of these outflows (0.01-0.1pc).