A Deep Multicolor Survey and the Evolution of Quasars

AST95-29324类星体作为宇宙中已知的最遥远的天体，探测宇宙的时间回到了它不到现在年龄的10%的时候。然而，关于类星体演化的本质仍然存在许多问题。为了解决这些问题中的一些问题，利用大面阵电荷耦合器件和KPNO4米望远镜对类星体和活动星系核进行了一次新的、深入的多色测量。在六个滤光片中进行光度校准的图像，范围从034到0.86um，覆盖0.83平方英尺。得到并降低到B=23.8的能级。一份超过21,000个星体的目录已经汇编完毕，这些天体的星等或上限以及所有滤光片中的误差估计都已经完成。对选定的对象也获得了一些后续光谱分析。在这个项目中，数据分析将完成，数据将公布并提供给天文学团体。此外，还将进行进一步的光谱观测，以确定高红移类星体和红移2附近的类星体/活动星系核的性质和演化，其中光度函数的确定将对类星体演化模型提供重要约束。红外观测将被用来研究高红移类星体的连续谱和发射线光谱的可能演化。将研究致密、窄发射线星系的性质和丰度，以确定它们的化学史和演化状态。

AST 95-29324 Quasars, as the most distant known objects in the universe, probe the universe back to the time when it was less that 10% of its present age. However, there remain many questions about the nature of quasar evolution. To resolve some of these questions, a new, deep multicolor survey for quasars and AGNs has been undertaken with a large format CCD and the KPNO 4-m telescope. Photometrically calibrated images in six filters ranging from 034 to 0.86 um and covering 0.83 sq. deg down to B = 23.8 have been obtained and reduced. A catalog of over 21,000 stellar objects with magnitudes or upper limits and error estimates in all the filters has been assembled. Some follow-up spectroscopy has also been obtained for selected objects. In this program, the data analysis will be completed and the data published and made available to the astronomical community. In addition, further spectroscopic observations will be made to determine the properties and evolution of both high redshift quasars and quasars/AGNs near redshift 2, where a determination of the luminosity function will provide significant constraints on models of quasar evolution. Infrared observations will be used to investigate the possible evolution of the continuum and emission-line spectra of high-redshift quasars. The nature and abundances of the compact, narrow emission-line galaxies will be studied to determine their chemical history and evolutionary state.