Abstract
We have analyzed the spatially integrated kinematic properties of the ionized
gas within the inner r<few kpc in 13 optically selected SDSS type 2 quasars at
z~0.3-0.6, using the OIII4959,5007 lines. The line profiles show a
significant asymmetry in 11 objects. There is a clear preference for blue
asymmetries, which are found in 9/13 quasars at 10% intensity level. In
coherence with studies on other types of active and non active galaxies, we
propose that the asymmetries are produced by outflows where differential dust
extinction is at work.
This scenario is favoured by other results we find: in addition to quiescent
ambient gas, whose kinematic properties are consistent with gravitational
motions, we have discovered highly perturbed gas in all objects. This gas emits
very broad lines (R=FWHMOIII/FWHM(stars)>~2). While the quiescent gas shows
small or null velocity shifts relative to the systemic velocity, the highly
perturbed gas trends to show larger shifts which, moreover, are blueshifts in
general. Within a given object, the most perturbed gas trends to have the
largest blueshift as well. All together support that the perturbed gas, which
is responsible for the blue asymmetries of the line profiles, is outflowing.
Although some bias affects the sample, we argue that ionized gas outflows are a
common phenomenon in optically selected type 2 quasars at 0.3< z < 0.6.
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