Quasars behind the disk of M31 galaxy

TL;DR

This study increases the catalog of quasars behind M31, providing reliable redshifts and highlighting the importance of identifying fainter quasars in high-extinction regions for astrophysical research.

Contribution

It confirms new quasars, provides homogeneous redshifts, and compares reddening estimates, enhancing the quasar database behind M31 for future studies.

Findings

Confirmed 23 quasars, including 2 new discoveries.

Provided redshifts for 34 quasars, adding 17 from archives.

Most quasars show low reddening, indicating a bias towards brighter, less extinct candidates.

Abstract

We aim to increase the limited number of quasars behind M31, necessary for probing the chemical content of the gas and for proper motion reference, with reliable and homogeneous redshift measurements from emission lines. We carried out spectroscopic follow up of 32 quasar candidates. We confirm 23 quasars: two are new discoveries (J004029.727+403705.68 and J004215.489+412031.52) and the rest were reported elsewhere, but with somewhat deficient analysis; 16 spectra are published for the first time. We report new homogeneous redshifts for 34 quasars (from 40 spectra, adding 17 from archives) and summarize all available information about bona-fide quasars with reliable redshift, bringing their number to 124 within the mu_B=26 mag/arcsec^2 isophote. We carried out a comparison of redshifts from different sources and excluded some objects with redshifts derived from low-resolution spectra. We derive the reddening for them from the color excess with respect to dereddened counterparts with similar redshifts in the field. Comparisons of our reddenings with M31 reddening maps found no significant correlations. Most QSOs behind M31 show low reddening and do not probe high-extinctions underlining the need to identify fainter quasars behind nearby galaxies, especially behind higher extinction regions -- probably due to a bias towards following up brighter and less extinct candidates. Finally, the redshifts derived from low-resolution spectra must be treated with caution, because they can contain significant errors.