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P. B. Hall (York University), J. R. Trump (Steward Observatory), D. P. Schneider (Penn State University), SDSS Quasar Survey Team
The spectra of quasars provide us with insight into gas physics under a wide range of conditions. In particular, at least 15% of luminous quasars show broad ultraviolet absorption from ionized winds outflowing at velocities up to at least 20% of lightspeed. These winds constrain our models of accretion disks and of AGN in general; and, with mass loss rates comparable to the accretion rates required to power quasars, they may contribute significant feedback during galaxy formation. The Sloan Digital Sky Survey provides the first sample of such broad absorption line (BAL) quasars large enough for serious statistical study. In this poster we present statistical results from the SDSS DR3 (Data Release Three) BAL quasar sample, using both traditional and new, SDSS-optimized criteria for defining broad absorption.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 37 #2
© 2005. The American Astronomical Soceity.