Evidence that Quasars and Related Active Galaxies are Good Radio Standard Candles and that they are Likely to be a Lot Closer than their Redshifts Imply

TL;DR

This paper presents evidence that quasars and active galaxies are closer than their redshifts suggest, based on radio data indicating they are good standard candles and likely within 100 Mpc.

Contribution

It demonstrates that quasars can serve as radio standard candles, providing a new method to estimate their distances independently of redshift-based assumptions.

Findings

Quasars and BL Lac objects are good radio standard candles.

Most strong radio sources are nearer than 100 Mpc.

Quasar distances may be overestimated by redshift-based methods.

Abstract

For many years some astronomers have continued to argue, using redshift periodicities and quasar-galaxy associations, that quasars may be closer than their redshifts imply. Here, for the first time using raw radio data, I re-examine this question and find new evidence that supports this argument. Using VLBA flux densities and angular motions in jets, I show that the central engine of quasars and BL Lac objects appears to be a good radio standard candle. Using this information, relative distances are calculated and absolute radio distances are then obtained by referencing to a source whose true distance has been obtained using Cepheid variables. The results reveal that in this model most of the strong radio sources found in early surveys are nearer than 100 Mpc. (abridged)