The structure and ionization of the extended emission-line filaments surrounding the QSO MR 2251-178

This paper presents new VLA radio maps, at 6 cm and 20 cm, of the QSO MR 2251-178, together with deep high-spatial-resolution images in the O II forbidden 3727-A line in the O III forbidden 5007-A line, and H-alpha emission lines, showing the presence of extended emission-line filaments surrounding the MR 2251-178. The morphology of the circumnuclear emission-line regions and an extended system of filaments in different ionization states are shown. The physical characteristics, such as luminosities, densities, mass, and ionization parameters of different filaments are derived. 48 refs.