Bibcode
Pesce, Joseph E.; Urry, C. Megan; O'Dowd, Matthew; Scarpa, Riccardo; Falomo, Renato; Treves, Aldo
Bibliographical reference
New Astronomy Reviews, Volume 46, Issue 2-7, p. 159-162.
Advertised on:
5
2002
Journal
Citations
3
Refereed citations
3
Description
We analyze images of BL Lacertae objects obtained with the Hubble Space
Telescope WFPC2 and the F814W filter. The nine objects cover a redshift
range of 0.19 to 0.997. The relatively deep images are sufficient to
detect galaxies at least one magnitude below MI* (-21.4) and
in most cases to three magnitudes below M*. Galaxy enhancement over the
average background is found around four out of the nine objects. Results
for some cases are confirmed by ground-based imaging. In the other
cases, the redshifts of the target BL Lac objects may be incorrect or
they are truly isolated. These findings reinforce the idea that on
average, BL Lac objects are found in regions of above average galaxy
density. However, isolated objects apparently can host BL Lac nuclei
too, a result that has implications for the processes that trigger/fuel
the nuclear activity.