High Resolution Spectra of Quasar AALs: 3C 191

Abstract

We discuss new high-resolution (6.7 km/s) spectra of the associated absorption lines (AALs) in the radio-loud quasar 3C 191. The measured AALs have ionizations ranging from Mg I to N V, and multi-component profiles that are blueshifted by ~400 to ~1400 km/s relative to the quasar's broad emission lines. Excited-state absorption lines of Si II* and C II* imply volume densities of ~300 cm^-3 and a nominal distance from the quasar of 28 kpc (assuming photoionization). The total column density is N_H ~ 2 x 10^20 cm^-2. Surprisingly, the absorber only partially covers the quasar emission source along our line of sight. We propose a model for the absorber in which pockets of dense neutral gas are surrounded by bigger clouds of generally lower density and higher ionization. This outflowing material might be leftover from a blowout associated with a nuclear starburst, the onset of quasar activity, or a past broad absorption line (BAL) wind phase.