Browsing by Author "Letawe, G"

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    An optical time-delay for the lensed BAL quasar HE 2149-2745
    (2002) Burud, I; Courbin, F; Magain, P; Lidman, C; Hutsemékers, D; Kneib, JP; Hjorth, J; Brewer, J; Pompei, E; Germany, L; Pritchard, J; Jaunsen, AO; Letawe, G; Meylan, G
    We present optical V and i-band light curves of the gravitationally lensed BAL quasar HE 2149-2745. The data, obtained with the 1.5 m Danish Telescope (ESO-La Silla) between October 1998 and December 2000, are the first from a long-term project aimed at monitoring selected lensed quasars in the Southern Hemisphere. A time delay of 103+/-12 days is determined from the light curves. In addition, VLT/FORS1 spectra of HE 2149 2745 are deconvolved in order to obtain the spectrum of the faint lensing galaxy, free of any contamination by the bright nearby two quasar images. By cross-correlating the spectrum with galaxy-templates we obtain a tentative redshift estimate of z = 0.495+/-0:01. Adopting this redshift, a Omega = 0.3, Lambda = 0.7 cosmology, and a chosen analytical lens model, our time-delay measurement yields a Hubble constant of H-0 = 66+/-8 km s(-1) Mpc(-1) (1sigma error) with an estimated systematic error of +/-3 km s(-1) Mpc(-1). Using non-parametric models yields H-0 = 65+/-8 km s(-1) Mpc(-1) (1sigma error) and confirms that the lens exhibits a very dense/concentrated mass profile. Finally, we note, as in other cases, that the flux ratio between the two quasar components is wavelength dependent. While the flux ratio in the broad emission lines-equal to 3.7-remains constant with wavelength, the continuum of the brighter component is bluer. Although the data do not rule out extinction of one quasar image relative to the other as a possible explanation, the effect could also be produced by differential microlensing by stars in the lensing galaxy.
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    On-axis spatially resolved spectroscopy of low redshift quasar host galaxies
    (2002) Courbin, F; Letawe, G; Magain, P; Wisotzki, L; Jablonka, P; Jahnke, DK; Kuhlbrodt, B; Alloin, D; Meylan, G; Minniti, D; Burud, I
    We present the first result of a comprehensive spectroscopic study of quasar host galaxies. On-axis, spatially resolved spectra of low redshift quasars have been obtained with FORS1, mounted on the 8.2 m ESO Very Large Telescope, Antu. The spectra are spatially deconvolved using a spectroscopic version of the "MCS deconvolution algorithm". The algorithm decomposes two dimensional spectra into the individual spectra of the central point-like nucleus and of its host galaxy. Applied to HE 1503+0228 at z = 0.135 (M-B = -23.0), it provides us with the spectrum of the host galaxy between 3600 Angstrom and 8500 Angstrom (rest-frame), at a mean resolving power of 700. The data allow us to measure several of the important Lick indices. The stellar populations and gas ionization state of the host galaxy of HE 1503+0228 are very similar to the ones measured for normal non-AGN galaxies. Dynamical information is also available for the gas and stellar components of the galaxy. Using deconvolution and a deprojection algorithm, velocity curves are derived for emission lines, from the center up to 400 away from the nucleus of the galaxy. Fitting a simple three-components mass model (point mass, spherical halo of dark matter, disk) to the position-velocity diagram, we infer a mass of M(r < 1 kpc) = (2.0 +/- 0.3) x 10(10) M-. within the central kiloparsec of the galaxy, and a mass integrated over 10 kpc of M(r < 10 kpc) = (1.9 +/- 0.3) x 10(11) M-., with an additional 10% error due to the uncertainty on the inclination of the galaxy. This, in combination with the analysis of the stellar populations indicates that the host galaxy of HE 1503+0228 is a normal spiral galaxy.
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    Time delay and lens redshift for the doubly imaged BAL quasar SBS 1520+530
    (2002) Burud, I; Hjorth, J; Courbin, F; Cohen, JG; Magain, P; Jaunsen, AO; Kaas, AA; Faure, C; Letawe, G
    We present optical R-band light curves of the gravitationally lensed quasar SBS 1520+530 derived from data obtained at the Nordic Optical Telescope. A time delay of 130 +/- 3 days (1sigma) is determined from the light curves. In addition, spectra of SBS 1520+530 obtained at the Keck Observatory are spatially deconvolved in order to extract the spectrum of the faint lensing galaxy, free of any contamination by the light from the bright quasar images. This spectrum indicates a lens redshift z = 0.717, in agreement with one of the absorption systems found in the quasar spectra. The best mass model of the system includes a second nearby galaxy and a cluster of galaxies in addition to the main lensing galaxy. Adopting this model and an Omega = 0.3, Lambda = 0.7 cosmology, our time-delay measurement yields a Hubble constant of H-0 = 51 +/- 9 km s(-1) Mpc(-1) (1sigma error).