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A new infrared spectral component of the quasar 3C273

Nature volume 323, pages 134–136 (1986)Cite this article

Abstract

Following the dramatic infrared to millimetre-wavelength flare seen in the quasar 3C273 during 19831, we have continued to monitor its overall continuum emission. Recent measurements show that the 10-µm to 3-mm emission has decayed to a level well below any seen previously2,3, while the 1–4-µm emission has remained relatively constant. This behaviour has revealed the presence of an apparently non-variable component which dominates the near-infrared emission in 3C273 and includes the small ‘bump’ at ∼3.5 µm in the power-law continuum previously noted by Neugebauer et al.3. The origin of this component is probably not thermal re-radiation by dust grains but may be due to free–free emission from very dense, broad-line clouds4.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Physics & Astronomy, Lancashire Polytechnic, Preston, PR1 2TQ, UK

    E. I. Robson, W. K. Gear & L. M. J. Brown

  2. ST–ECF, European Space Observatory, Karl-Schwarzschild-Str. 2, D-8046, Garching bei München, FRG

    T. J.-L. Courvoisier

  3. UK Infrared Telescope, 665 Komohana Street, Hilo, Hawaii, 96720, USA

    M. G. Smith

  4. Department of Physics, Queen Mary College, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK

    M. J. Griffin

  5. Geneva Observatory, CH 1290, Sauverny, Geneva, Switzerland

    A. Blecha

  6. Affiliated to the Space Science Department of ESA,

    T. J.-L. Courvoisier

Authors
  1. E. I. Robson
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  2. W. K. Gear
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  3. L. M. J. Brown
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  4. T. J.-L. Courvoisier
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  5. M. G. Smith
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  6. M. J. Griffin
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  7. A. Blecha
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Robson, E., Gear, W., Brown, L. et al. A new infrared spectral component of the quasar 3C273. Nature 323, 134–136 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/323134a0

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