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Nuclear star formation in the quasar PG1126-041 from adaptive optics assisted spectroscopy

G. Cresci·R. Maiolino·A. Marconi·F. Mannucci·G. L. Granato
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Abstract

We present adaptive optics assisted spectroscopy of three quasars obtained with NACO at VLT. The high angular resolution achieved with the adaptive optics (~0.08"), joined to the diagnostic power of near-IR spectroscopy, allow us to investigate the properties of the innermost 100 pc of these quasars. In the quasar with the best adaptive optics correction, PG1126-041, we spatially resolve the Pa-alpha emission within the nuclear 100 pc. The comparison with higher excitation lines suggests that the narrow Pa-alpha emission is due to nuclear star formation. The inferred intensity of the nuclear star formation (13 M(sun)/yr) may account for most of the far-IR luminosity observed in this quasar.

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G. Cresci, R. Maiolino, A. Marconi, F. Mannucci, G. L. Granato. 2004-07-05. Nuclear star formation in the quasar PG1126-041 from adaptive optics assisted spectroscopy. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361%3A200400020

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