THE LARGE BRIGHT QUASAR SURVEY .6. QUASAR CATALOG AND SURVEY PARAMETERS

Positions, redshifts, and magnitudes for the 1055 quasars in the Large Bright Quasar Survey (LBQS) are presented in a single catalog. Celestial positions have been rederived using the PPM catalog to provide an improved reference frame. J2000.0 coordinates are given together with improved B1950.0 positions. Redshifts calculated via cross correlation with a high signal-to-noise ratio composite quasar spectrum are included and the small number of typographic and redshift misidentifications in the discovery papers are corrected. Spectra of the 12 quasars added to the sample since the publication of the discovery papers are included. Descriptions of the plate material, magnitude calibration, quasar candidate selection procedures, and the identification spectroscopy are given. Calculation of the effective area of the survey for the 1055 quasars comprising the well-defined LBQS sample is specified in detail. Number-redshift and number-magnitude relations for the quasars are derived and the strengths and limitations of the LBQS sample summarized. Comparison with existing surveys is made and a qualitative assessment of the effectiveness of the LBQS undertaken. Positions, magnitudes, and optical spectra of the eight objects (<1%) in the survey that remain unidentified are also presented.