Gas and stars in the Teacup quasar looking with the 6-m telescope

TL;DR

This study presents new spectroscopic observations of the Teacup quasar, revealing a giant ionized gas nebula, younger stars in the core, and a rotating gas disk, shedding light on the galaxy's ionization, star formation, and merger history.

Contribution

It provides detailed spectroscopic mapping and analysis of the Teacup quasar's gas and stellar components, highlighting the galaxy's ionization, star formation history, and gas dynamics.

Findings

Giant ionized nebula extends up to 56 kpc and is ionized by the AGN.

Inner stars are significantly younger (~1 Gyr) than the outer galaxy.

Gas velocity field suggests a rotating disk inclined or polar to the stellar host.

Abstract

New results on the radio-quiet type 2 quasar known as the Teacup galaxy (SDSSJ1430+1339) based on the long-slit and 3D spectroscopic data obtained at the Russian 6-m telescope are presented. The ionized gas giant nebula extending up to r=56 kpc in the [O III] emission line was mapped with the scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer. The direct estimation of the emission line ratios confirmed that the giant nebula is ionized by the AGN. Stars in the inner r<5 kpc are significantly younger than the outer host galaxy and have a solar metallicity. The central starburst age (~1 Gyr) agrees with possible ages for the galactic merger events and the previous episode of the quasar outflow produced two symmetric arcs visible in the [O III[ emission at the distances r=50-55 kpc. The ionized gas velocity field can be fitted by the model of a circular rotating disk significantly inclined or even polar to the stellar host galaxy.