Observations of the low-redshift broad absorption line QSO PG 1700+518 : limits on the fraction of QSOs with broad absorption lines at low redshift and the physical conditions in the broad absorption line region.
Peterson, B. M.; McMahon, R. G.; Weymann, R. J.; Lupie, O. L.; Turnshek, D. A.; Foltz, C. B.
United States, France, United Kingdom
Abstract
The authors present IUE and optical observations demonstrating that the zem = 0.29 QSO PG 1700+518 is a broad absorption line (BAL) QSO. This object is unique because of its low redshift and because it is one of only two BAL QSOs which exhibit moderate strength Mg II BALs. The discovery suggests that the fraction of QSOs with BALs at low redshifts is comparable to the observed fraction at high redshifts. The authors discuss implications for the evolutionary history of the QSO and present a model of its BAL region.