Slit spectroscopy of candidates from automated quasar detection on UKSTU prism plates

Abstract

A search for quasars is being performed in ESO/SERC fields 86, 119, and 120 at and near the South Ecliptic Pole (just outside the LMC). This area will be extensively covered by the ROSAT all-sky soft X-ray survey. The present search aims at providing a data base of optically selected extragalactic objects which may later be compared with the sample of X-ray selected objects. The quasar candidates were identified on objective prism plates from the UK Schmidt telescope (UKSTU) by visual means in field 86 and by employing Automated Quasar Detection (AQD) in fields 119 and 120. Slit spectra were subsequently obtained for 39 candidates in field 119 and 3 candidates in field 86, using the ESO/MPI 2.2 m telescope at La Silla, Chile. The results demonstrate that an automated quasar search can be successfully be performed in these comparatively crowded star fields.

Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile, with the 2.2 m telescope of the Max-Planck Society