Large-scale outflow in quasar LBQS J1206+1052: HST/COS observations

Abstract

Using two orbits of HST/COS archival observations, we measure the location and energetics of a quasar outflow from LBQS J1206+1052. From separate collisional excitation models of observed N III/N III* and S III/S III* troughs, we measure the electron number density n_e of the outflow. Both independent determinations are in full agreement and yield n_e =10^{3.0} cm^{-3}. Combining this value of n_e with photoionization simulations, we determine that the outflow is located 840 pc from the central source. The outflow has a velocity of 1400 km s^-1, a mass flux of 9 M_⊙ yr^-1 and a kinetic luminosity of 10^42.8 erg s^-1. The distance finding is much larger than predicted from radiative acceleration models, but is consistent with recent empirical distance determinations.