Closing the space gap: A more precise way to measure distance between quasar pairs

A new method to measure the distance between quasar pairs has shown promise, offering a way to address the difficulty of determining their true physical separation. The study, conducted by the University of Alberta, uses the quasar proximity effect, which examines illuminated gas regions around quasars to estimate their separation. This approach avoids the systematic errors associated with redshift measurements, which can lead to significant inaccuracies in inferred distances. The method can pin down the physical separation of a visual quasar pair to within about half a million light-years in many cases, compared to conventional redshift measurements that can be off by tens of millions of light-years.

The study tested the quasar proximity effect, which works by identifying lit-up gas regions around quasars that are transparent, similar to how two light bulbs placed side by side would produce a single bright region. This method allows astronomers to determine the separation between quasar pairs without relying on specialized equipment. The results show that the new method offers more precise measurements, which could help reduce the uncertainty in measuring distances between quasar pairs.

The study used simulated data and simple algorithms to test the method, and while it used artificial data, the approach shows potential for real-world application. The method could allow astronomers to characterize a quasar pair's true separation without requiring additional observations. The research was led by Dr. Huanqing Chen, who plans to investigate how much the precision of the method improves by using finer, smaller-scale features in real quasar spectra. The findings could help astronomers study quasar pairs more accurately and efficiently.

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