Abstract
In a sample of 45 quasistellar objects (QSOs) with redshift 0.62 or less, a large fraction (>30%) appear to be currently interacting with another galaxy. All but three of the QSOs reside within nebulosity interpreted as a surrounding galaxy, and about one third have spiral galaxy characteristics. About one third appear to reside in clusters or small groups of galaxies. The present observations support the view that the QSO phenomenon is fundamentally linked to interactions between galaxies in clusters or smaller groups.
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Hutchings, J., Campbell, B. Are QSOs activated by interactions between galaxies?. Nature 303, 584–588 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/303584a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/303584a0
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