Optical spectrum of the blazar PKS 0447-439

There has been a recent report of a lower limit of z>=1.246 for the redshift of this blazar, challenging the current paradigm in which very high-energy {gamma}-rays cannot freely propagate in the z>~1 universe. In this research note, we present a new MagE/Magellan spectrum of PKS 0447-439 with exquisite signal-to-noise (S/N>150 at 6500{AA}).

Our analysis confirms the presence of the previously-reported absorption line at 6280{AA}, which we identify, however, with a known telluric absorption, invalidating the claim that this blazar lies at z>1. Since no other extragalactic spectral features are detected, we cannot establish a redshift based on our spectrum.