Surveying the Origin of O VI Gas at Low Redshift

Details Surveying the Origin of O VI Gas at Low Redshift Surveying the Origin of O VI Gas at Low Redshift

Feb 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006noao.prop..312p&link_type=abstract

NOAO Proposal ID #2006A-0312

Mathematics

Logic

Scientific paper

A comparison of the baryonic mass density inferred from BBN and the CMB with a census of visible baryonic components at the present epoch indicates a significant fraction of the universe's baryons are hidden in a dark component. Theoretical investigations predict that the majority of 'missing' baryons lie in a hot (T ~ 10^5-7 K), low density medium which can be efficiently detected through O VI absorption. More importantly, recent STIS+FUSE surveys for O VI are consistent with this gas comprising a significant fraction of the missing baryons. Establishing the physical nature of these O VI absorbers directly impacts our understanding of the distribution of baryons in the universe. The principal goal of our program is to determine if this O VI gas arises in galactic halos, the intragroup or intracluster medium, the low density 'cosmic web', or a different region of the universe altogether. We are pursuing an observational program to search for galaxies associated with O VI absorbers at low redshift. To accomplish this project, we require deep UBVRI images in fields surrounding quasars surveyed for O VI absorption. This dataset will provide precise photometric redshifts of z< 0.3 galaxies with L > L^*/10 and measures of color and morphology. Ultimately, we will use the photometric redshifts to efficiently pre-select galaxies for spectroscopy on multi-slit spectrometers. By correlating the galaxy redshifts against the O VI absorption lines and comparing directly with cosmological simulations, we will establish the origin of the O VI gas.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Surveying the Origin of O VI Gas at Low Redshift 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 Surveying the Origin of O VI Gas at Low Redshift, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Surveying the Origin of O VI Gas at Low Redshift will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1722176