Quasar Host Orientation and Polarization: Insights into the Type 1/Type 2 Dichotomy
Abstract
We investigate correlations between the optical linear polarization position angle and the orientation of the host galaxy/extended emission of Type 1 and Type 2 Radio-Loud (RL) and Radio-Quiet (RQ) quasars. We have used high resolution Hubble Space Telescope (HST) data and deconvolution process to obtain a good determination of the host galaxy orientation. With these new measurements and a compilation of data from the literature, we find a significant correlation between the polarization position angle and the position angle of the major axis of the host galaxy/extended emission. The correlation appears different for Type 1 and Type 2 objects and depends on the redshift of the source. Interpretations in the framework of the unification model are discussed.
- Publication:
-
Revista Mexicana de Astronomia y Astrofisica Conference Series
- Pub Date:
- April 2008
- DOI:
- 10.48550/arXiv.0710.4072
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0710.4072
- Bibcode:
- 2008RMxAC..32..167B
- Keywords:
-
- quasars : general;
- polarization;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 3 pages, 1 figure, to appear in "The Nuclear Region, Host Galaxy and Environment of Active Galaxies", eds. E. Benitez, I. Cruz-Gonzalez and Y. Krongold, RevMexAA (Serie de Conferencias)