Varstrometry for Off-nucleus and Dual Subkiloparsec AGN (VODKA). SDSS J1608+2716: A Subarcsecond Quadruply Lensed Quasar at z = 2.575

Junyao Li, Xin Liu, Yue Shen, Masamune Oguri, Arran C. Gross, Nadia L. Zakamska, Yu Ching Chen, Hsiang Chih Hwang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We report Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Wide Field Camera 3 deep IR (F160W) imaging of SDSS J1608+2716. This system, located at a redshift of z = 2.575, was recently reported as a triple-quasar candidate with subarcsecond separations (∼0.″25) based on selection from Gaia astrometry and follow-up Keck adaptive optics-assisted integral field unit spectroscopy. Our new HST deep IR imaging reveals the presence of a fourth point-like component located ∼0.″9 away from the triple system. Additionally, we detect an edge-on disk galaxy located in between the four point sources. The entire system exhibits a characteristic cusp structure in the context of strong gravitational lensing, and the observed image configuration can be successfully reproduced using a lens model based on a singular isothermal ellipsoid mass profile. These findings indicate that this system is a quadruply lensed quasar. Our results highlight the challenges associated with identifying dual/multiple quasars on ∼kiloparsec scales at high redshifts and emphasize the crucial role of deep, high-resolution IR imaging in robustly confirming such systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberL16
JournalAstrophysical Journal Letters
Volume955
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2023

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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