The z = 7.54 Quasar ULAS J1342+0928 Is Hosted by a Galaxy Merger

We present ALMA 0.'' 128 x 0.'' 20 (1.4 kpc x 1.0 kpc) resolution observations of the [C II] 158 mu m line and underlying dust continuum in the host galaxy of the most distant quasar currently known, ULAS J1342+0928 at z = 7.5413. Both the [C II] and continuum are detected and spatially resolved. The [C II] line is similar to 1.5 times more extended than the continuum emission, showing an elongated and complex structure of approximately 3.2 kpc x 6.4 kpc. Two separate peaks are clearly seen (greater than or similar to 6 sigma each) in three 100 km s(-1) width [C II] channel maps. The velocity field of the [C II] gas does not show evidence of a coherent rotation field but rather chaotic motion reminiscent of an ongoing merger.ERC [740246]This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at repository@u.library.arizona.edu