60 Milliarcsecond Near‐Infrared Imaging of 3C 273 with Altair and Gemini1

We report data from the commissioning run of the Altair adaptive optics instrument on Gemini North. The bright QSO 3C 273 was observed at f/32 in theHandJbands, and at f/14 withJband, using the QSO itself as guide star. Resolution of approximately 60 mas full width at half‐maximum (FWHM) was achieve...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific 2003-12, Vol.116 (816), p.154-160
Main Authors: Hutchings, J. B., Stoesz, J., Veran, J.‐P., Rigaut, F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptive optics
Cameras
Coronagraphs
Ellipses
Galaxies
Hubble Space Telescope
Imaging
Pixels
Wavelengths
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Summary:We report data from the commissioning run of the Altair adaptive optics instrument on Gemini North. The bright QSO 3C 273 was observed at f/32 in theHandJbands, and at f/14 withJband, using the QSO itself as guide star. Resolution of approximately 60 mas full width at half‐maximum (FWHM) was achieved inHband. The data and point‐spread function are compared with those from theHubble Space Telescope(HST). The Altair data allow a measurement of the spheroidal inner host galaxy to radii down to about 40 mas. A bright knot seen in visible wavelengths with the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) instrument onHSTis seen in theJbut not theHband, and the dust lane seen with ACS is less visible, as expected. Other morphological features, and the jet, are discussed.
ISSN:0004-6280
1538-3873
DOI:10.1086/381507