First results from the Isaac Newton Telescope Wide Angle Survey: the z > 5 quasar survey

We report the first results of an observational programme designed to determine the luminosity density of high-redshift quasars quasars) using deep multicolour CCD data. We report the discovery and spectra of three high-redshift quasars, including one with . At , this is the fourth highest redshift quasar currently published. Using these preliminary results we derive an estimate of the quasar space density in the redshift range of . When completed, the survey will provide a firm constraint on the contribution to the ionizing UV background in the redshift range from quasars by determining the faint-end slope of the quasar luminosity function. The survey uses imaging data taken with the 2.5-m Isaac Newton Telescope as part of the Public Isaac Newton Group Wide Field Survey (WFS). This initial sample of objects is taken from two fields of effective area ∼12.5 deg2 from the final ∼100 deg2.