Composite SEDs of type 1 and type 2 QSOs

For both types of quasar, the flux of the active galactic nucleus (AGN) relative to the host galaxy increases with AGN luminosity (L_[OIII]_) and redder observed MIR color, but we find only weak dependencies of the composite SEDs on mechanical jet power as determined through radio luminosity. We conclude that luminous quasars can be effectively selected using simple MIR color criteria similar to those identified previously (W1-W2>0.7; Vega), although these criteria miss many heavily obscured objects.

Obscured quasars can be further identified based on optical-IR colors (for example, (u-W3[AB]>1.4(W1-W2[Vega])+3.2). These results illustrate the power of large statistical studies of obscured quasars selected on the basis of MIR and optical photometry.