Infrared Spectroscopy of z > 5 QSOs

Computer Science

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Hst Proposal Id #9413

Scientific paper

The elemental abundances of high-redshift QSOs provide an important probe of the early universe. The ratio of iron to alpha-process elements observed in all QSOs to z 4.5 in particular suggests that the gas has been enriched by Type Ia supernovae. Evidence of such enrichment in turn helps constrain the ages and masses of QSO host galaxies, which can be compared with the predictions of galaxy formation models under currently popular LambdaCDM cosmologies. With these motivations we propose to obtain NICMOS grism spectra of five bright {z^* 19} QSOs from z = 5.03 to z = 6.28 recently discovered in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Our main goal will be to measure the strength of the broad Fe II emission complex at 2500 Angstrom {rest} in these very young { 1 Gyr} objects, if it is present at all. With the exception of two objects at z = 5.99 and z = 6.28 it will also be possible to measure the Mg II Lambda2800 line. These measurements are impossible from the ground because of the atmospheric absorption bands in the near infrared. The Fe II / Mg II emission ratio will in turn be used to estimate the relative abundance of these elements in the objects, and to compare these abundances to those of QSOs at lower redshifts. The infrared brightness of the objects and reduced sky background will allow high signal-to-noise ratio spectra to be obtained in relatively short integration times {1 orbit per object}.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Infrared Spectroscopy of z > 5 QSOs 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 Infrared Spectroscopy of z > 5 QSOs, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Infrared Spectroscopy of z > 5 QSOs will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-733468

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.