III Zw 2

III Zw 2 is a Seyfert 1 galaxy located in the Pisces constellation. It has a redshift of 0.089 and is notable as the first of its kind to exhibit a superluminal jet.

Discovery

III Zw 2 was first discovered by Fritz Zwicky via a 48-inch Schmidt survey as a stellar object with faint wisps. However, it was confirmed to have a Seyfert morphology with classical broadline characteristic based on further spectroscopic studies. It was also included in Palomar Green quasar sample.

Characteristics

The host galaxy of III Zw 2 was initially classified as a spiral galaxy. However according to a recent study made on its budge and disk decomposition via Hubble Space Telescope in 2009, it has since been reclassified as an elliptical galaxy. It has a star-forming tidal bridge feature indicating a merger with a companion galaxy. Furthermore, III Zw 2 belongs to a class of radio-intermediate quasars and is a member of a triple galaxy system.

Active nucleus

The nucleus of III Zw 2 is active. In additional, to its superluminal jet, the galaxy shows two distinctive γ-ray flares happening between November 2009 and May 2010, according to observations by Fermi-LAT. It is also known to have a highly variable radio core flux density between factor of 20-30.

Black hole

III Zw 2 contains a supermassive black hole of 7.4 × 10⁸ M_⊙. The black hole is responsible for producing an ionized wind outflow with a velocity of km s⁻¹. Approximately every five years the galaxy emits dramatic radio outbursts.