Matthias Dietrich

• PhD
• Professor (Assistant) at Worcester State University

In this contribution, we achieve the primary goal of the active galactic nucleus (AGN) STORM campaign by recovering velocity–delay maps for the prominent broad emission lines (Lyα, C IV, He II, and Hβ) in the spectrum of NGC 5548. These are the most detailed velocity–delay maps ever obtained for an AGN, providing unprecedented information on the ge...

We present geometric and dynamical modeling of the broad line region (BLR) for the multi-wavelength reverberation mapping campaign focused on NGC 5548 in 2014. The data set includes photometric and spectroscopic monitoring in the optical and ultraviolet, covering the Hβ, C iv, and Lyα broad emission lines. We find an extended disk-like Hβ BLR with...

We present geometric and dynamical modeling of the broad line region for the multi-wavelength reverberation mapping campaign focused on NGC 5548 in 2014. The dataset includes photometric and spectroscopic monitoring in the optical and ultraviolet, covering the H$\beta$, C IV, and Ly$\alpha$ broad emission lines. We find an extended disk-like H$\bet...

We report velocity-delay maps for prominent broad emission lines, Ly_alpha, CIV, HeII and H_beta, in the spectrum of NGC5548. The emission-line responses inhabit the interior of a virial envelope. The velocity-delay maps reveal stratified ionization structure. The HeII response inside 5-10 light-days has a broad single-peaked velocity profile. The...

We model the ultraviolet spectra of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548 obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope during the 6 month reverberation mapping campaign in 2014. Our model of the emission from NGC 5548 corrects for overlying absorption and deblends the individual emission lines. Using the modeled spectra, we measure the response to continuum va...

We model the ultraviolet spectra of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC~5548 obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope during the 6-month reverberation-mapping campaign in 2014. Our model of the emission from NGC 5548 corrects for overlying absorption and deblends the individual emission lines. Using the modeled spectra, we measure the response to continuum va...

During the Space Telescope and Optical Reverberation Mapping Project (STORM) observations of NGC 5548, the continuum and emission-line variability became de-correlated during the second half of the 6-month long observing campaign. Here we present Swift and Chandra X-ray spectra of NGC 5548 obtained as a part of the campaign. The Swift spectra show...

During the Space Telescope and Optical Reverberation Mapping Project (STORM) observations of NGC 5548, the continuum and emission-line variability became de-correlated during the second half of the 6-month long observing campaign. Here we present Swift and Chandra X-ray spectra of NGC 5548 obtained as a part of the campaign. The Swift spectra show...

We present the results of an optical spectroscopic monitoring program targeting NGC 5548 as part of a larger multi-wavelength reverberation mapping campaign. The campaign spanned six months and achieved an almost daily cadence with observations from five ground-based telescopes. The H$\beta$ and He II $\lambda$4686 broad emission-line light curves...

We present the results of an optical spectroscopic monitoring program targeting NGC 5548 as part of a larger multi-wavelength reverberation mapping campaign. The campaign spanned six months and achieved an almost daily cadence with observations from five ground-based telescopes. The H$\beta$ and He II $\lambda$4686 broad emission-line light curves...

We conduct a multiwavelength continuum variability study of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548 to investigate the temperature structure of its accretion disk. The 19 overlapping continuum light curves (1158 to 9157 angstroms) combine simultaneous HST , Swift , and ground-based observations over a 180 day period from 2014 January to July. Light-curve var...

We conduct a multiwavelength continuum variability study of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548 to investigate the temperature structure of its accretion disk. The 19 overlapping continuum light curves (1158 to 9157 angstroms) combine simultaneous HST , Swift , and ground-based observations over a 180 day period from 2014 January to July. Light-curve var...

We present ground-based optical photometric monitoring data for NGC 5548, part of an extended multi-wavelength reverberation mapping campaign. The light curves have nearly daily cadence from 2014 January to July in nine filters ($BVRI$ and $ugriz$). Combined with UV data from the $Hubble$ $Space$ $Telescope$ and $Swift$, we confirm significant time...

During an intensive Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) UV monitoring campaign of the Seyfert~1 galaxy NGC 5548 performed from 2014 February to July, the normally highly correlated far-UV continuum and broad emission-line variations decorrelated for ~60 to 70 days, starting ~75 days after the first HST/COS observation. Fo...

During an intensive Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) UV monitoring campaign of the Seyfert~1 galaxy NGC 5548 performed from 2014 February to July, the normally highly correlated far-UV continuum and broad emission-line variations decorrelated for ~60 to 70 days, starting ~75 days after the first HST/COS observation. Fo...

We present ground-based optical photometric monitoring data for NGC 5548, part of an extended multi-wavelength reverberation mapping campaign. The light curves have nearly daily cadence from 2014 January to July in nine filters (\emph{BVRI} and \emph{ugriz}). Combined with ultraviolet data from the \emph{Hubble Space Telescope} and \emph{Swift}, we...

Recent intensive Swift monitoring of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548 yielded 282 usable epochs over 125 days across six UV/optical bands and the X-rays. This is the densest extended AGN UV/optical continuum sampling ever obtained, with a mean sampling rate < 0.5-day. Approximately daily HST UV sampling was also obtained. The UV/optical light curves s...

We describe the first results from a six-month long reverberation-mapping experiment in the ultraviolet based on 170 observations of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548 with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope. Significant correlated variability is found in the continuum and broad emission lines, with amplitudes ranging from ~30...

A large reverberation mapping study of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 7469 has yielded emission-line lags for Hbeta 4861 and He II 4686 and a central black hole mass measurement of about 10 million solar masses, consistent with previous measurements. A very low level of variability during the monitoring campaign precluded meeting our original goal of rec...

We present the first J-band spectrum of Mrk 231, which reveals a large He I* λ10830 broad absorption line with a profile similar to that of the well-known Na I broad absorption line. Combining this spectrum with optical and UV spectra from the literature, we show that the unusual reddening noted by Veilleux et al. is explained by a reddening curve...

We present the first J-band spectrum of Mrk 231, which reveals a large \ion{He}{1}*$\lambda 10830$ broad absorption line with a profile similar to that of the well-known \ion{Na}{1} broad absorption line. Combining this spectrum with optical and UV spectra from the literature, we show that the unusual reddening noted by \citet{veilleux13} is explai...

We show for the first time that FBQS J1151+3822 is an iron low-ionization broad absorption line quasar (FeLoBAL QSO), the second-brightest and second-closest known example of this class. He I* and Fe II together act as an effective analytical tool, allowing us to obtain useful kinematic constraints from photoionization models of the outflow without...

Blue-shifted broad absorption lines are the manifestation of gaseous outflows in astrophysical phenomena. In active galaxies, these outflowing winds may play a key role in the central engine physics by removing angular momentum and in influencing host galaxy evolution by imparting energy and chemically enriched gas to the surrounding medium. AGN wi...

We present a continuation of our study of ground-based spectra of a sample of 12 Narrow-Line Seyfert 1s (NLSy1s), obtained using the 1.5m telescope at CTIO. Previously, we had found similar emission line ratios in both NLSy1s and Broad-Line Seyfert 1s (BLSy1s), which suggests similar ionizing continua, although we noted that low-ionization lines, s...

We present the analysis of optical and near-infrared spectra of the only four z > 6.5 quasars known to date, discovered in the UKIDSS-LAS and VISTA-VIKING surveys. Our data-set consists of new VLT/X-Shooter and Magellan/FIRE observations. These are the best optical/NIR spectroscopic data that are likely to be obtained for the z > 6.5 sample using c...

After the All-Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae discovered a significant brightening of the inner region of NGC 2617, we began a ~70 day photometric and spectroscopic monitoring campaign from the X-ray through near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. We report that NGC 2617 went through a dramatic outburst, during which its X-ray flux increased by over a...

We report on multi-wavelength observations of the X-ray transient Narrow Line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxy WPVS 007. The galaxy was monitored with Swift between 2005 October and 2013 July, after it had previously undergone a dramatic drop in its X-ray flux. For the first time, we are able to repeatedly detect this NLS1 in X-rays again. This increased nu...

Mrk 231 is the nearest ultraluminous infrared galaxy. It has the optical spectrum of a quasar with a well-known broad absorption line complex observed in NaID. We present new IRTF and MDM TIFKAM near-infrared, and KPNO optical spectra of Mrk 231. The near-IR spectra reveal HeI*λ10830 broad absorption lines, similar in shape and depth to the well-kn...

We present new stellar velocity dispersion measurements for four luminous quasars with the Near-Infrared Integral Field Spectrometer instrument and the ALTAIR laser guide star adaptive optics system on the Gemini North 8 m telescope. Stellar velocity dispersion measurements and measurements of the supermassive black hole (BH) masses in luminous qua...

We present velocity-resolved reverberation results for five active galactic nuclei. We recovered velocity-delay maps using the maximum entropy method for four objects: Mrk 335, Mrk 1501, 3C 120, and PG 2130+099. For the fifth, Mrk 6, we were only able to measure mean time delays in different velocity bins of the Hβ emission line. The four velocity-...

We present velocity-resolved reverberation results for five active galactic nuclei. We recovered velocity-delay maps using the maximum-entropy method for four objects: Mrk 335, Mrk 1501, 3C120, and PG2130+099. For the fifth, Mrk 6, we were only able to measure mean time delays in different velocity bins of the Hbeta emission line. The four velocity...

We have undertaken a new ground-based monitoring campaign on the BLRG 3C390.3 to improve the measurement of the size of the BLR and to estimate the black hole mass. Optical spectra and g-band images were observed in 2005 using the 2.4m telescope at MDM Observatory. Integrated emission-line flux variations were measured for Ha, Hb, Hg, and for HeII4...

We present first results of an ongoing study of BAL QSO variability. Our goal is to infer the amplitude and the timescale of absorption-line variations. While about 75% of our BAL QSOs show no or only minor variations, we discovered the transition of a weak BAL QSO into a strong Lo-BAL QSO, with the MgII λ 2798 emission line and the adjacent FeII...

We present the results from a detailed analysis of photometric and spectrophotometric data on five Seyfert 1 galaxies observed as a part of a recent reverberation mapping program. The data were collected at several observatories over a 140 day span beginning in 2010 August and ending in 2011 January. We obtained high sampling-rate light curves for...

Broad absorption lines (BALs) in quasar spectra identify high velocity outflows that likely exist in all quasars and could play a major role in feedback to galaxy evolution. In order to determine the viability of these outflows as a feedback mechanism, we need estimates of their mass outflow rates and kinetic energy yields. These quantities depend...

Outflows are believed to be ubiquitous and fundamentally important in active galaxies. Despite their importance, key physical properties of outflows remain poorly unconstrained; this severely limits study of the acceleration process. It is especially difficult to constrain the column density since most of the lines are saturated. However, column de...

The acceleration mechanism behind quasar outflows is as yet unknown, but constraining the kinetic energy invested in these winds should allow us to discriminate between competing models of their source. To that end, we use new observations of broad absorption-line Mg II in the quasar FBQS J1151+3822 to calculate Mg+ column density in the outflow....

Using a sample of high-redshift lensed quasars from the CASTLES project with observed-frame ultraviolet or optical and near-infrared spectra, we have searched for possible biases between supermassive black hole (BH) mass estimates based on the CIV, Halpha and Hbeta broad emission lines. Our sample is based upon that of Greene, Peng & Ludwig, expand...

We present the first results from a detailed analysis of photometric and spectrophotometric data on the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 335, collected over a 120-day span in the fall of 2010. From these data we measure the lag in the He II 4686 broad emission line relative to the optical continuum to be 2.7 \pm 0.6 days and the lag in the H\beta 4...

As a direct consequence of the luminosity generated through accretion, quasars can eject energetic outflows at high velocities. These outflows are directly observed in Broad Absorption Line (BAL) quasars through their deep, blue-shifted absorption lines. To date, one of the main challenges in constraining the fundamental properties (covering fracti...

Outflows are an essential part of quasars, but their physical properties still pose significant puzzles. Some observational parameters, such as the maximum outflow velocity and the velocity width, are well studied and yield clues about the acceleration mechanism and viewing angle. Other parameters, including column density and covering fraction, ar...

We report the discovery of the first He I*λ10830 broad absorption line quasar FBQS J1151+3822. Using new infrared and optical spectra, as well as the SDSS spectrum, we extracted the apparent optical depth profiles as a function of velocity of the 3889 Å and 10830 Å He I* absorption lines. Since these lines have the same lower levels, inhomogeneous...

To measure the mass of central super-massive black holes in Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) which is a fundamental parameter to understand the physics of AGN and is of great interest to follow the evolution of galaxies, the study of AGN variability has been established as a powerful tool to achieve those goals. The delayed response of broad emission l...

We report the discovery of the first HeI*\lambda 10830 broad absorption line quasar FBQS J1151+3822. Using new infrared and optical spectra, as well as the SDSS spectrum, we extracted the apparent optical depth profiles as a function of velocity of the 3889A and 10830A HeI* absorption lines. Since these lines have the same lower levels, inhomogeneo...

We focus on determining the underlying physical cause of a Seyfert galaxy's appearance as type a 1.8 or 1.9. Are these "intermediate" Seyfert types typical Seyfert 1 nuclei with reddened broad-line regions? Or are they objects with intrinsically weak continua and broad emission lines? We compare measurements of the optical reddening of the narrow a...

We present the final results from a high sampling rate, multi-month, spectrophotometric reverberation mapping campaign undertaken to obtain either new or improved Hβ reverberation lag measurements for several relatively low-luminosity active galactic nuclei (AGNs). We have reliably measured the time delay between variations in the continuum and Hβ...

While characterization of the MBH-sigma* relationship in AGNs has improved due to the increase in available data and the improvement in accuracy of both MBH and sigma* measurements, additional data at the high-luminosity end of the distribution of quasars are needed, as recent studies indicate that perhaps the relation steepens in this regime. To t...

ABSTRACTOJ 287 is a BL Lac object at redshift z= 0.306 that has shown double-peaked bursts at regular intervals of ∼12 yr during the last ∼40 yr. We analyse optical photopolarimetric monitoring data from 2005 to 2009, during which the latest double-peaked outburst occurred. The aim of this study is twofold: firstly, we aim to analyse variability pa...

Luminous Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) and BAL QSOs share several characteristics indicating a possible relation of these classes of active galactic nuclei (AGN). For example, similar high Eddington accretion rates support the idea that these AGN are in an early stage of their active phase. Generally, the broad and blue-shifted absorption...

To infer the still not well known structure of the inner region of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), it is of great importance to measure the size of the closely related line emitting region, the Broad-Line Region (BLR), estimating super-massive black hole masses, and determining physical conditions. The study and thorough analysis of AGN variability h...

We report discovery of the first metastable HeI* broad absorption line quasar using SpeX on IRTF. The blue-shifted absorption profile extends in velocity space from about -1,000 to -11,000 km/s, and it shows considerable velocity structure of the order of 1,000 km/s. The maximum apparent optical depth is 0.6. Integration over the 10830 apparent opt...

(Abridged) OJ287 is a BL Lac object that has shown double-peaked bursts at regular intervals of ~12 yr during the last ~40 yr. We analyse optical photopolarimetric monitoring data from 2005-2009, during which the latest double-peaked outburst occurred. The aim of this study is twofold: firstly, we aim to analyse variability patterns and statistical...

A detailed analysis of the data from a high sampling rate, multi-month reverberation mapping campaign, undertaken primarily at MDM Observatory with supporting observations from telescopes around the world, reveals that the Hβ emission region within the broad-line regions (BLRs) of several nearby active galactic nuclei (AGNs) exhibits a variety of k...

We present the first results from a high sampling rate, multimonth reverberation mapping campaign undertaken primarily at MDM Observatory with supporting observations from telescopes around the world. The primary goal of this campaign was to obtain either new or improved Hβ reverberation lag measurements for several relatively low luminosity active...

The blazar OJ 287 has produced two major optical outburst events during the years 2005-2008. These are the latest in a series of outbursts that have occurred repeatedly at 12 year intervals since early 1900s. It has been possible to explain the historical light curve fairly well by using a binary black hole model where the secondary black hole impa...

We present the first results from a high sampling rate, multi-month reverberation mapping campaign undertaken primarily at MDM Observatory with supporting observations from telescopes around the world. The primary goal of this campaign was to obtain either new or improved Hbeta reverberation lag measurements for several relatively low luminosity AG...

We report on the results of a 5 year coordinated program of spectroscopic monitoring of the luminous Seyfert 1 galaxy Markarian 509. The Hβ and He II λ4686 emission lines are found to respond to continuum variations with time lags of ~80 and ~60 days, respectively, considerably longer than the emission-line lags measured for other Seyfert galaxies.

BL Lacertae was detected by the EGRET instrument on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory at the 10.2 σ level with an average flux of (171 ± 42) × 10−8 photons cm-2 s-1, at energies greater than 100 MeV, during the optical outburst of 1997 July. This flux is more than 4 times the previously highest level. Within the July 15-22 observation there was a d...

As part of an extensive multiwavelength monitoring campaign, the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite was used to observe the broad-line radio galaxy 3C 390.3 during the period 1994 December 31-1996 March 5. Spectra were obtained every 6-10 days. The UV continuum varied by a factor of 7 through the campaign, while the broad emission lines v...

We present near-infrared spectra of 10 luminous, intermediate-redshift quasars (z 2; L bol 1047 erg s–1), observed with SofI at the NTT of ESO/La Silla. With these rest-frame optical spectra we probe the Hβ-[O III] emission line region. Using the standard scaling relation involving the width of the Hβ line and the continuum luminosity, we measure b...

From 1996 June 10 to July 29, the International Ultraviolet Explorer monitored the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 7469 continuously in an attempt to measure time delays between the continuum and emission-line fluxes. From the time delays, one can estimate the size of the region dominating the production of the UV emission lines in this source. We find the st...

The results of an optical monitoring campaign on the active nucleus in the luminous Seyfert 1 galaxy Fairall 9 are presented. This campaign was undertaken in parallel with ultraviolet spectroscopic monitoring with the IUE satellite which is described in a separate paper. The primary purpose of this program is to measure the response times (or "lags...

Results of a ground-based optical monitoring campaign on 3C 390.3 in 1994-1995 are presented. The broadband fluxes (B, V, R, and I), the spectrophotometric optical continuum flux Fλ(5177 Å), and the integrated emission-line fluxes of Hα, Hβ, Hγ, He I λ5876, and He II λ4686 all show a nearly monotonic increase with episodes of milder short-term vari...

We present the results of 3 yr of ground-based observations of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548, which, combined with previously reported data, yield optical continuum and broad-line Hβ light curves for a total of 8 yr. The light curves consist of over 800 points, with a typical spacing of a few days between observations. During this 8 yr period, the...

An 8 month monitoring campaign on the Seyfert 1 galaxy Fairall 9 has been conducted with the International Ultraviolet Explorer in an attempt to obtain reliable estimates of continuum-continuum and continuum-emission-line delays for a high-luminosity active galactic nucleus (AGN). While the results of this campaign are more ambiguous than those of...

FeII emission is an important component of the low-ionization broad-line emission in quasars, comprising up to 1/3 of the total line emission, and performing as a primary coolant. In addition, FeII potentially can be used as a probe of gas metallicity (i.e., preceding stellar evolution). However, FeII is difficult to study because the Fe+ ion yield...

We present the results of a recent reverberation-mapping campaign undertaken to improve measurements of the radius of the broad-line region and the central black hole mass of the quasar PG 2130+099. Cross-correlation of the 5100 Å continuum and Hβ emission-line light curves yields a time lag of 22.9−4.3+4.4 days, corresponding to a central black ho...

We study the distribution of Eddington luminosity ratios, Lbol/LEdd, of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) discovered in the AGN and Galaxy Evolution Survey (AGES). We combine Hβ, Mg II, and C IV line widths with continuum luminosities to estimate black hole (BH) masses in 407 AGNs, covering the redshift range z ~ 0.3-4 and the bolometric luminosity ran...

We have undertaken a new ground-based monitoring campaign to improve the estimates of the mass of the central black hole in NGC 4151. We measure the lag time of the broad Hβ line response compared to the optical continuum at 5100 Å and find a lag of 6.6 days. We combine our data with the recent reanalysis of UV emission lines by Metzroth and cowork...

We use quasi-stellar object (QSO) emission-line widths to examine the MBH-σ* relationship as a function of redshift and to extend the relationship to larger masses. Supermassive black holes in galactic nuclei are closely related to the bulge of the host galaxy. The mass of the black hole MBH increases with the bulge luminosity and with the velocity...

We describe results from a new ground-based monitoring campaign on NGC 5548, the best-studied reverberation-mapped AGN. We find that it was in the lowest luminosity state yet recorded during a monitoring program, namely L5100 = 4.7 × 1042 ergs s-1. We determine a rest-frame time lag between flux variations in the continuum and the Hβ line of 6.3 da...

We present new observations leading to an improved black hole mass estimate for the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4593 as part of a reverberation-mapping campaign conducted at the MDM Observatory. Cross-correlation analysis of the Hβ emission-line light curve with the optical continuum light curve reveals an emission-line time delay of τcent = 3.73 ± 0.75 d...

We analyze UV spectra for a large sample of 578 type 1 active galactic nuclei and derive Eddington ratios, L/LEdd, from the bolometric luminosities and emission-line widths for each object in the sample. The sample spans 5 orders of magnitude in supermassive black hole (SMBH) mass, 7 orders of magnitude in luminosity, and a redshift range 0 ≤ z ≤ 5...

We present results of the analysis of near-infrared spectroscopic observations of six high-redshift quasars (z 4), emphasizing the measurement of the ultraviolet Fe II/Mg II emission-line strength to estimate the beginning of intense star formation in the early universe. To investigate the evolution of the Fe II/Mg II ratio over a wider range in co...

We investigated a sample of 15 luminous high-redshift quasars (3.3 z 5.1) to measure the mass of their supermassive black holes (SMBH) and compare, for the first time, results based on C IV, Mg II, and Hβ emission lines at high redshifts. Assuming gravitationally bound orbits as dominant broad-line region gas motion, we determine black hole masses...

We present the final installment of an intensive 13 year study of variations of the optical continuum and broad Hβ emission line in the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548. The database consists of 1530 optical continuum measurements and 1248 Hβ measurements. The Hβ variations follow the continuum variations closely, with a typical time delay of about 20 day...

We explore the nature of systematic errors that can arise in measurement of black hole masses from single-epoch spectra of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) by utilizing the many epochs available for NGC 5548 and PG1229+204 from reverberation mapping databases. In particular, we examine systematics due to AGN variability, contamination due to constant...

We present the results of a recent reverberation-mapping campaign undertaken to improve measurements of the radius of the broad line region and the central black hole mass of the quasar PG 2130+099. Cross correlation of the 5100 angstrom continuum and H-beta emission-line light curves yields a time lag of 22.9 (+4.4 - 4.3) days, corresponding to a...

New spectra of NGC 2992 from the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory show that this nearby AGN has changed its type classification to a Seyfert 2 in 2006. It was originally classified as a Seyfert 1.9, and has been previously seen as a Seyfert 1.5 with strong broad Halpha emission. A comparison of the reddening and equivalent hydrogen column de...

Para una muestra de 20 cuásares (3 ≤ z ≤ 5) utilizamos cocientes de líneas de emisión para estimar metalicidades del gas nuclear y el cociente Fe IIUV/MgII fué utilizado para investigar efectos de la escala temporal de enriquecimiento metálico diferencial entre el hierro y los elementos-α. Los cuásares muestran metalicidades solares elevadas (~5Zo)...

We present Spitzer mid-infrared spectra of 12 Seyfert 1.8 and 1.9 galaxies over the 5-38 μm region. We compare the spectral characteristics of this sample to those of 58 Seyfert 1 and 2 galaxies from the Spitzer archives. An analysis of the spectral shapes, the silicate 10 μm feature and the emission-line fluxes have enabled us to characterize the...

We examine the recent report by Prochter et al. that gamma-ray burst (GRB) sight lines have a much higher incidence of strong MgII absorption than quasar sight lines. We propose that the discrepancy is due to the different beam sizes of GRBs and quasars, and that the intervening MgII systems are clumpy with the dense part of each cloudlet of a simi...

We are investigating for a sample of about 30 high-redshift quasars, with redshifts up to z=6, the gas chemical metallicity based on emission line ratios and employing the FeII UV/MgII line ratio, we probe the differential metal enrichment timescale between iron and alpha-elements at these early epochs. The quasars show enhanced solar metallicities...

We present Spitzer Space Telescope mid-infrared spectra of 12 Seyfert 1.8 and 1.9 galaxies over the 5–38 µm region. We compare the spectral characteristics of this sample to those of 58 Seyfert 1 and Seyfert 2 galaxies from the Spitzer archives. An analysis of the spectral shapes, the silicate 10 µm feature and the emission line fluxes have enabled...

Quasars signal a unique phase of galaxy evolution -- when massive spheroids are rapidly being assembled, forming stars and growing their central super-massive black holes. Measurements of the metal abundances around quasars provide unique information about these complex evolutionary processes. Here we provide a brief review of the current status an...

Reverberation mapping of the broad line region (BLR) has become a standard tool in studying the size, structure, and mass of the central black hole of AGN. Recent work by Peterson et al. (2004) and by Bentz et al. (2006) has established a flatter radius luminosity relation for AGN as previously assumed. To provide improved measurements, i.e., small...

Deep BRIH-images as well as long-slit spectra taken with the ESO-2.2m and VLT-telescopes of the QSO HE1013-2136 (z = 0.785) are presented. They show the QSO apparently in the last phase of a ˜1:3 merger. Two tidal tails extending 9" and 3.5" (68 and 26 kpc) and several condensations within 3.5" projected distance are clearly detected. The latter co...