Dust Enhancement of the Lyman Alpha Equivalent Width at z ~ 4.5 in the CDF-S

Details Dust Enhancement of the Lyman Alpha Equivalent Width at z ~ 4.5 in the CDF-S Dust Enhancement of the Lyman Alpha Equivalent Width at z ~ 4.5 in the CDF-S

Aug 2007

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007noao.prop..488f&link_type=abstract

NOAO Proposal ID #2007B-0488

Computer Science

Scientific paper

We propose CTIO Blanco+MOSAIC II narrow-band imaging to select Lyα galaxies at z ~ 4.5 in order to discover the true nature of their large equivalent widths (EWs). Lyα galaxies are interesting because they are very faint in the continuum yet bright in a narrow-band filter encompassing the Lyα line, which allows one to select them based on a narrow-band excess. It has been believed that the large EWs seen in these galaxies are intrinsic, caused by low metallicities and/or ongoing star formation. This would indicate that these objects are fairly young with a primitive composition. However, if the interstellar medium inside one of these galaxies consisted of clumpy dust clouds in a tenuous ionized medium, then continuum photons would penetrate deep into these clouds, while the Lyα photons would be resonantly scattered at the surface. This would result in a much higher escape fraction for Lyα photons, enhancing the EW. Thus an older galaxy could exhibit the Lyα EW of a young, star forming galaxy. By finding Lyα galaxies in the GOODS CDF-S, we will have very deep public broadband data which we will use to compare to stellar population models in order to investigate the cause of the large Lyα EW. Red continuum colors would indicate dust extinction of the continuum, while blue colors would indicate Lyα emission powered by young stars.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Dust Enhancement of the Lyman Alpha Equivalent Width at z ~ 4.5 in the CDF-S does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Dust Enhancement of the Lyman Alpha Equivalent Width at z ~ 4.5 in the CDF-S, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dust Enhancement of the Lyman Alpha Equivalent Width at z ~ 4.5 in the CDF-S will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1797280