Speaker: Aromal Pathayappura, Western University, London, CA

Title : Probing Quasar Outflows Through Absorption Line Spectroscopy

Abstract: Quasars, among the most luminous astrophysical systems, are powered by supermassive black holes (SMBHs) accreting gas at the centers of their host galaxies. A critical aspect of quasar physics is the presence of powerful outflows, often identified through broad absorption lines (BALs) in quasar spectra. These outflows are key to understanding the interaction between SMBHs and their host galaxies, which is crucial for unraveling the processes that drive their co-evolution. In this talk, I will focus on the time variability of these outflows through long-term spectral monitoring of BAL quasars, a powerful tool for studying their origins and evolution. I will present a comprehensive analysis of time variability in C IV BALs over a span of seven years, based on a sample of 64 BAL quasars observed with the Southern African Large Telescope. The discussion will highlight both short- and long-term variations in absorption strength and examine how various quasar and BAL properties influence these changes. Additionally, I will talk about two unusual sources from our sample in detail, presenting insights from their extreme variability events and what they reveal about the nature of quasar outflows.