[en] We investigate correlations between the direction of the optical linear polarization and the orientation of the host galaxy/extended emission for type 1 and type 2 radio-loud and radio-quiet quasars. We have used high resolution Hubble Space Telescope data and a deconvolution process to obtain a good determination of the host galaxy/extended emission (EE) position angle. With these new measurements and a compilation of data from the literature, we find a significant correlation, different for type 1 and type 2 objects, between the linear polarization position angle and the orientation of the EE, suggesting scattering by an extended UV/blue region in both types of objects. Our observations support the extension of the Unification Model to the higher luminosity AGNs like the quasars, assuming a two component scattering model.
Disciplines :
Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
Author, co-author :
Borguet, Benoît ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Astrophysique et traitement de l'image
Hutsemekers, Damien ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Astroph. extragalactique et observations spatiales (AEOS)
Letawe, Géraldine ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO)
Letawe, Yannick ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Astrophysique et traitement de l'image
Magain, Pierre ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Astrophysique et traitement de l'image
Language :
English
Title :
New Insights into the Quasar Type 1/Type 2 Dichotomy from Correlations between Quasar Host Orientation and Polarization
Publication date :
01 November 2011
Event name :
Astronomical Polarimetry 2008: Science from Small to Large Telescopes.
Event place :
Quebec, Canada
Event date :
6-11 July 2008
Audience :
International
Main work title :
Astronomical Polarimetry 2008: Science from Small to Large Telescopes. ASPC 449
Editor :
Bastien, Pierre
Collection name :
ASP Conference Series, Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 2012., Vol. 449