Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2007-10-10
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
26 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Scientific paper
10.1051/0004-6361:20054773
Using STIS and VLT UVES observations we have examined the ionization, abundances, and differential dust depletion of metals, the kinematic structure, and the physical conditions in the molecular hydrogen-bearing sub-damped Ly alpha system toward HE 0515-4414 at z = 1.15. The velocity interval of associated metal lines extends for 700 km/s. In addition, saturated H I absorption is detected in the blue damping wing of the main component. The column density ratios of associated Al II, Al III, and Fe II lines indicate that the absorbing material is ionized. 19 of in total 31 detected metal line components are formed within peripheral H II regions, while only 12 components are associated with the predominantly neutral main absorber. For the main absorber the observed abundance ratios of refractory elements to Zn range from Galactic warm disk [Si/Zn] = - 0.40, [Fe/Zn] = -1.10 to halo-like and essentially undepleted patterns. The dust-corrected metal abundances indicate a nucleosynthetic odd-even effect and might imply an anomalous depletion of Si relative to Fe for two components, but otherwise do correspond to solar ratios. The intrinsic average metallicity is almost solar [Fe/H] = -0.08, whereas the uncorrected average is [Zn/H] = -0.38. The ion abundances in the periphery conform with solar element composition. The detection of H II as well as the large variation in dust depletion for this sight line raises the question whether in future studies of damped Ly alpha systems ionization and depletion effects have to be considered in further detail. Ionization effects, for instance, may pretend an enrichment of alpha elements. An empirical recipe for detecting H II regions is provided.
Baade Robert
Quast Ralf
Reimers Dieter
No associations
LandOfFree
HE 0515-4414 - an unusual sub-damped Ly alpha system revisited 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 HE 0515-4414 - an unusual sub-damped Ly alpha system revisited, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and HE 0515-4414 - an unusual sub-damped Ly alpha system revisited will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-463541