A SPECTACULAR OUTFLOW IN AN OBSCURED QUASAR

Abstract

SDSS J1356 + 1026 is a pair of interacting galaxies at redshift z = 0.123 that hosts a luminous obscured quasar in its northern nucleus. Here we present two long-slit Magellan LDSS-3 spectra that reveal a pair of symmetric similar to 10 kpc size outflows emerging from this nucleus, with observed expansion velocities of similar to 250 km s (1) in projection. We present a kinematic model of these outflows and argue that the deprojected physical velocities of expansion are likely similar to 1000 km s(-1) and that the kinetic energy of the expanding shells is likely 10(44-45) erg s(-1), with an absolute minimum of > 10(42) erg s(-1). Although a radio counterpart is detected at 1.4 GHz, it is faint enough that the quasar is considered to be radio quiet by all standard criteria, and there is no evidence of extended emission due to radio lobes, whether aged or continuously powered by an ongoing jet. We argue that the likely level of star formation is insufficient to power the observed energetic outflow and that SDSS J1356 + 1026 is a good case for radio-quiet quasar feedback. In further support of this hypothesis, polarimetric observations show that the direction of quasar illumination is coincident with the direction of the outflow.