HeII Recombination Lines From the First Luminous Objects

Details HeII Recombination Lines From the First Luminous Objects HeII Recombination Lines From the First Luminous Objects

2000-07-24

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0007351v3

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

ApJ published version. Due to an error in one of the references, the strength of the 1640 A line was underestimated in a previ

Scientific paper

10.1086/320650

The hardness of the ionizing continuum from the first sources of UV radiation plays a crucial role in the reionization of the intergalactic medium (IGM). While usual stellar populations have soft spectra, mini-quasars or metal-free stars with high effective temperatures may emit hard photons, capable of doubly ionizing helium and increasing the IGM temperature. Absorption within the source and in the intervening IGM will render the ionizing continuum of high-redshift sources inaccessible to direct observation. Here we show that HeII recombination lines from the first luminous objects are potentially detectable by the Next Generation Space Telescope. Together with measurements of the hydrogen Balmer alpha emission line, this detection can be used to infer the ratio of HeII to HI ionizing photons. A measurement of this ratio would shed light on the nature and emission mechanism of the first luminous sources, with important astrophysical consequences for the reheating and reionization of the IGM.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

HeII Recombination Lines From the First Luminous Objects 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 HeII Recombination Lines From the First Luminous Objects, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and HeII Recombination Lines From the First Luminous Objects will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-105974