Accurate spectroscopic redshift of the multiply lensed quasar PSOJ0147 from the Pan-STARRS survey

TL;DR

This study accurately determined the spectroscopic redshift of the lensed quasar PSOJ0147 using optical spectroscopy, overcoming challenges posed by broad absorption lines, to aid cosmological measurements like the Hubble constant.

Contribution

First spectroscopic redshift measurement of PSOJ0147 from Pan-STARRS data, utilizing rapid follow-up spectroscopy and addressing BAL quasar absorption features.

Findings

Redshift of 2.341±0.001 determined from [C III] line.

Identification of BAL features with outflow velocity ~9800 km/s.

Confirmed the quasar as a broad absorption line (BAL) quasar.

Abstract

Context: The gravitational lensing time delay method provides a one-step determination of the Hubble constant (H0) with an uncertainty level on par with the cosmic distance ladder method. However, to further investigate the nature of the dark energy, a H0 estimate down to 1% level is greatly needed. This requires dozens of strongly lensed quasars that are yet to be delivered by ongoing and forthcoming all-sky surveys. Aims: In this work we aim to determine the spectroscopic redshift of PSOJ0147, the first strongly lensed quasar candidate found in the Pan-STARRS survey. The main goal of our work is to derive an accurate redshift estimate of the background quasar for cosmography. Methods: To obtain timely spectroscopically follow-up, we took advantage of the fast-track service programme that is carried out by the Nordic Optical Telescope. Using a grism covering 3200 - 9600 A, we identified prominent emission line features, such as Ly-alpha, N V, O I, C II, Si IV, C IV, and [C III] in the spectra of the background quasar of the PSOJ0147 lens system. This enables us to determine accurately the redshift of the background quasar. Results: The spectrum of the background quasar exhibits prominent absorption features bluewards of the strong emission lines, such as Ly-alpha, N V, and C IV. These blue absorption lines indicate that the background source is a broad absorption line (BAL) quasar. Unfortunately, the BAL features hamper an accurate determination of redshift using the above-mentioned strong emission lines. Nevertheless, we are able to determine a redshift of 2.341+/-0.001 from three of the four lensed quasar images with the clean forbidden line [C III]. In addition, we also derive a maximum outflow velocity of ~ 9800 km/s with the broad absorption features bluewards of the C IV emission line. This value of maximum outflow velocity is in good agreement with other BAL quasars.