High frequency GPS sources in the AT20G survey

Abstract

The Australia Telescope 20 GHz (AT20G) survey was used to select a complete sample of 656 Gigahertz Peaked Spectrum (GPS) sources with spectral turnovers above 5 GHz. The AT20G has near simultaneous observations at 4.8, 8.6 and 20 GHz, which makes it possible to exclude flat spectrum variability as a cause of a source's peaked spectrum. Optical identification of the sample results in 361 QSOs and 104 galaxies and 191 blank fields. Redshifts are known for 104 of the GPS sources. The GPS sources from the AT20G are discussed and compared to previously known samples. The new sample of high frequency peaking GPS sources is found at a lower redshift than previous samples and to also have a lower 5 GHz radio power. Evidence is found to support the idea that the origin of the GPS spectral shape are intrinsically different for galaxies and QSOs. This paper is an elaboration and extension of the talk given at the 4th CSS/GPS conference in Riccione in May this year. © 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.