A method to infer the stellar population that dominated the UV background at the end of reionization

Details A method to infer the stellar population that dominated the UV background at the end of reionization A method to infer the stellar population that dominated the UV background at the end of reionization

2003-04-07

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0304130v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

12 pages, 12 figures, submitted to MNRAS

Scientific paper

We present an observational test of the spectrum of the ionizing background at z~5; the test is sufficiently sensitive to determine whether Pop II or Pop III stars are the dominant source of ionizing radiation. The ionizing background at z~5 may reflect the nature of the sources responsible for the final overlap phase of reionization. We find that rest-frame extreme-UV HeI absorption will be detectable in deep spectral observations of some rare z~5 quasars; the ratio of HeI to HI absorption reflects the shape of the ionizing background in the photon energy range between 13.6 and 24.6 eV. Most z~5 quasars have too much HI absorption along their line of sight for HeI absorption to be observed. However, based on current measurements of HI absorber statistics, we use Monte Carlo simulations to demonstrate that the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) will discover a sufficient number of z~5 quasars to turn up a quasar suitable for measuring HeI absorption (and we illustrate a selection method to identify that quasar). From simulated observations of a suitable z~5 quasar with a 10-meter telescope, we show that a constraint on the spectral slope of the ionizing background at that redshift can be obtained.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

A method to infer the stellar population that dominated the UV background at the end of reionization 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 A method to infer the stellar population that dominated the UV background at the end of reionization, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A method to infer the stellar population that dominated the UV background at the end of reionization will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-603552