High Resolution Spectra of Quasar Aals: 3c 191

We discuss new high-resolution (6.7 km/s) spectra of the associated absorption lines (AALs) in the radio-loud quasar 3C 191. The measured AALs have ionizations ranging from Mg I to N V, and multicomponent profiles that are blueshifted by ∼400 to ∼1400 km/s relative to the quasar’s broad emission lines. Excited-state absorption lines of Si II and C II imply volume densities of ∼300 cm and a nominal distance from the quasar of 28 kpc (assuming photoionization). The total column density is NH ∼ 2 × 10 20 cm. Surprisingly, the absorber only partially covers the quasar emission source along our line of sight. We propose a model for the absorber in which pockets of dense neutral gas are surrounded by bigger clouds of generally lower density and higher ionization. This outflowing material might be leftover from a blowout associated with a nuclear starburst, the onset of quasar activity, or a past broad absorption line (BAL) wind phase.