HST UV and Keck HIRES Spectra of BAL Quasars

Abstract

In the analysis of broad absorption line (BAL) quasar spectra, Keck HIRES spectra are a useful complement to lower resolution HST and ground based spectra. The HIRES spectra provide accurate parameters for narrow, intervening type absorption systems including Lyman limit systems and a direct measurement of the smoothness of BAL features. The smoothness of the troughs is related to the number of "clouds" in the BAL region if the BAL region consists of clouds. The HIRES spectra, especially for z approx. 2 quasars, are also a source of high quality absorption templates. All of the BAL features are apparently resolved in the high resolution spectra (R approx. 45 000), while low resolution (R approx. 1000) spectra do not always resolve features belonging to the outflow.

LATEX, 6 pages with 3 embedded figures. To appear in ASP Conf. Proceedings: Mass Outflows in Active Galactic Nuclei: New Perspectives, eds D. M. Crenshaw, S. B. Kraemer, and I. M. George