2006ApJ...645L...5G

We present integral field spectroscopic observations of the quadruple-lensed QSO SDSS 1004+4112 taken with the fiber system INTEGRAL at the William Herschel Telescope on 2004 January 19. In 2003 May, a blueward enhancement in the high-ionization lines of SDSS 1004+4112A was detected, and then it faded. Our observations are the first to note a second event of similar characteristics less than 1 year after. Although initially attributed to microlensing, the resemblance among the spectra of both events and the absence of microlensing-induced changes in the continuum of component A are puzzling. The lack of a convincing explanation under the microlensing or intrinsic variability hypotheses makes the observed enhancements particularly relevant, calling for close monitoring of this object.