Observation by Kevin Gurney: Redshift in quasar 3C 273

Uploaded by

Kevin Gurney

Observer

Kevin Gurney

Observed

2017 Mar 25 - 03:05

Uploaded

2017 Mar 30 - 20:46

Objects

Spectrum

Constellation

Hercules

Equipment

Celestron 8SE
Alpy 600
Atik 630EX
AZ-EQ6
0.63 FR

Exposure

3 x 10min subs

Location

West Sheffield

Target name

3C 273

Title

Redshift in quasar 3C 273

About this image

3C 273 is a quasar at around 2.5GLy away with a published redshift of 0.15. Since learning to use the Alpy spectrograph I have wanted to observe the cosmological redshift of a distant object, and this quasar is a classic 'testbed' for doing this as I believe its the brightest of its type. However, it was a challenge for me because, at mag 13.0, in West Sheffield suburbia, the signal in the spectrum was getting lost in the skyglow lines. I eventually got something useable after binning at 2x2 (trying 4x4 next time).

Comparison of the smoothed spectrum with professional data shows (I think) a reasonably good match of the main features and my estimated redshift was close to that reported there.

Files associated with this observation

plots.jpg (1.0 MB)

Like this image

Jeremy Shears, Mike Olason, David Basey, Peter Mulligan, Mr Nicholas John Atkinson, Peter Carson

Comments

Mr Nicholas John Atkinson, 2017 Apr 12 - 09:23 UTC

Well done and who would have thought this was possible with amatuer equipment

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