IS THE QUASI-STELLAR OBJECT PKS 0237-23 A STAR?

It is shown that 14 lines in the absorption spectrum of PKS 0237-23 coincide with He I lines (at zero redshift). Eight of these arise from the 2^1P^o level, which is at 21.13 eV. From this it appears that the absorption is taking place in a region which is at a high temperature. Simplest solution is to assume that PKS 0237-23 is a star. Emission features are identified with He I, N II and N III (Wolf-Rayet analogy).

Table I

 obs.      id (Å)   ion

 3355.3    3354.55  He I
 3445.1    3447.59  He I
 3554.8    3554.39  He I
 3703.3    3705.14  He I
 3874.3*   3871.82  He I
 3880.0*   3878.18  He I
 3924.5*   3926.53  He I
 3932.8*   3935.91  He I
 4024.9*   4023.99  He I
 4118.8    4120.81  He I
 4141.1*   4143.77  He I
 4386.0*   4387.93  He I
 4439.1*   4437.55  He I

• Bahcall,J.N., Greenstein,J.L., Sargent,W.L.W.: 1968, ApJ, 153, 689.

Similar References

• Quasar PKS 0237-23 is a shell star
• Chance coincidences and the so-called redshift systems in the absorption spectrum of PKS 0237-23
• Quasar 0237-233: Chance coincidences and the alleged CO redshift system
• Identification of lines in the spectrum of the quasar 0237-233

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