An HST/WFPC2 Snapshot Survey of 2MASS-Selected Red QSOs

Authors:
Andrew R. Marble (1),
Dean C. Hines (1),
Gary D. Schmidt (1),
Paul S. Smith (1),
Jason A. Surace (2),
Lee Armus (2),
Roc M. Cutri (3),
Brant O. Nelson (3) ((1) Steward Observatory, (2) SIRTF Science Center, (3) IPAC)

Comments: 23 pages including 9 figures and 7 tables, accepted for publication
in ApJ, higher resolution HST images at:
this http URL

Using simple infrared color selection, 2MASS has found a large number of red,
previously unidentified, radio-quiet QSOs. Although missed by UV/optical
surveys, the 2MASS QSOs have K-band luminosities that are comparable to
“classical” QSOs. This suggests the possible discovery of a previously
predicted large population of dust-obscured radio-quiet QSOs. We present the
results of an imaging survey of 29 2MASS QSOs observed with WFPC2 onboard the
Hubble Space Telescope. I-band images, which benefit from the relative
faintness of the nuclei at optical wavelengths, are used to characterize the
host galaxies, measure the nuclear contribution to the total observed I-band
emission, and to survey the surrounding environments. The 2MASS QSOs are found
to lie in galaxies with a variety of morphologies, luminosities, and dynamical
states, not unlike those hosting radio-quiet PG QSOs. Our analysis suggests
that the extraordinary red colors of the 2MASS QSOs are caused by extinction of
an otherwise typical QSO spectrum due to dust near the nucleus.

References and citations for this submission:

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