The distribution of gas and galaxies around the distant quasar PKS 1614 + 051

Abstract

We report the results of narrow-band and broad-band filter observations of the region surrounding the z = 3.21 quasar, PKS 1614 + 051, made under subarcsecond seeing conditions with the 3.6 m CFHT telescope at Mauna Kea. The nuclear region of the Lya companion to the quasar is resolved with a FWHM of ~ O'.^. A bridge of emission extending from the companion is seen at Lya surface brightnesses typically an order of magnitude fainter. Limits on detectable continuum flux from this object suggest that it is a gas cloud interacting with the quasar, and its emission is consistent with simple photoionization by the quasar. However, the presence of several galaxies around the periphery of the quasar is noted. A search of 11 additional quasars at z > 3 has failed to show any other such systems. It is argued that this is consistent with the statistics of extended emission line systems in low-z quasars.