The Farthest Quasar Mini-BAL Outflow from its Central Source: VLT/UVES Observation of SDSSJ0242+0049

TL;DR

This study reports the discovery of the farthest mini-BAL outflow from a quasar's central source, at 67 kpc, with implications for AGN feedback and outflow dynamics, based on VLT/UVES observations of SDSS J0242+0049.

Contribution

First detection of a mini-BAL outflow at 67 kpc from a quasar, demonstrating its potential role in AGN feedback and outflow evolution.

Findings

Outflow velocity increases monotonically over time.

One outflow system exceeds 5% of the Eddington luminosity.

The outflow is located 67 kpc from the quasar.

Abstract

We analyze VLT/UVES observations of the quasar SDSS J024221.87+004912.6. We identify four absorption outflow systems: a CIV BAL at $v\approx -18,000 \text{ km s}^{-1}$, and three narrower low-ionization systems with centroid velocities ranging from -1200 to -3500 km s$^{-1}$. These outflows show similar physical attributes to the [OIII] outflows studied by arXiv:1305.6922. We find that two of the systems are energetic enough to contribute to AGN feedback, with one system reaching above 5% of the quasar's Eddington luminosity. We also find that this system is at a distance of 67 kpc away from the quasar, the farthest detected mini-BAL absorption outflow from its central source to date. In addition, we examine the time variability of the BAL, and find that its velocity monotonically increases, while the trough itself becomes shallower over time.