Spectroscopy of the Lens Galaxy of Q0957+561A,B: Implications of a Possible Central Massive Dark Object

Mediavilla, Evencio; Serra-Ricart, Miquel; Oscoz, Alejandro; Goicoechea, Luis; Buitrago, Jesus
Bibliographical reference

The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 531, Issue 2, pp. 635-641.

Advertised on:
3
2000
Number of authors
5
IAC number of authors
4
Citations
4
Refereed citations
4
Description
We present new long-slit William Herschel Telescope spectroscopic observations of the lens galaxy G1 associated with the double-imaged QSO 0957+561A,B. The central stellar velocity dispersion obtained, σl=310+/-20 km s-1, is in reasonable agreement with other measurements of this dynamical parameter. Using all updated measurements of the stellar velocity dispersion in the internal region of the galaxy (at angular separations <1.5") and a simple isotropic model, we discuss the mass of a possible central massive dark object. We find that the data of Falco et al. suggest the existence of an extremely massive object of (0.5-2.1)x1010 h-1 Msolar (80% confidence level), whereas the inclusion of very recent data substantially changes the results: the compact central mass must be <=6x109 h-1 Msolar at the 90% confidence level. We note that, taking into account all the available dynamical data, a compact nucleus with a mass of 109 h-1 Msolar (best fit) cannot be ruled out.