Lance Miller

Abstract:

We have optically identified a sample of 56 featureless continuum objects without significant proper motion from the 2dF QSO Redshift Survey (2QZ). The steep number--magnitude relation of the sample, $n(\bj) \propto 10^{0.7\bj}$, is similar to that derived for QSOs in the 2QZ and inconsistent with any population of Galactic objects. Follow up high resolution, high signal-to-noise, spectroscopy of five randomly selected objects confirms the featureless nature of these sources. Assuming the objects in the sample to be largely featureless AGN, and using the QSO evolution model derived for the 2QZ, we predict the median redshift of the sample to be $z=1.1$. This model also reproduces the observed number-magnitude relation of the sample using a renormalisation of the QSO luminosity function, $\Phi^* = \Phi^*_{\rm \sc qso}/66 \simeq 1.65 \times 10^{-8} $mag$^{-1}$Mpc$^{-3}$. Only $\sim$20 per cent of the objects have a radio flux density of $S_{1.4}>3 $mJy, and further VLA observations at 8.4 GHz place a $5\sigma$ limit of $S_{8.4} < 0.2$mJy on the bulk of the sample. We postulate that these objects could form a population of radio-weak AGN with weak or absent emission lines, whose optical spectra are indistinguishable from those of BL Lac objects.

Abstract:

The 2dF QSO survey is a spectroscopic survey of 48,000 point-sources selected by colour with magnitudes in the range 18.35 < B < 20.95. Amongst QSOs, white dwarfs, narrow-line galaxies and other objects are some cataclysmic variables (CVs). This survey should be sensitive to intrinsically faint CVs. In the standard picture of CV evolution, these form the majority of the CV population. We present the spectra of 6 CVs from this survey. Four have the spectra of dwarf novae and two are magnetic CVs. We present evidence that suggests that the dwarf novae have period P < 2 h and are indeed intrinsically less luminous than average. However, it is not clear yet whether these systems are present in the large numbers predicted.