Computer Science
Scientific paper
Jul 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008hst..prop11742w&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #11742. Cycle 17
Computer Science
Scientific paper
We propose spectroscopic observations with COS of eight z~3 QSOs that we found to be bright in the far ultraviolet. Our aim is to study intergalactic absorption caused by the onset of the He II Lyman forest. Several lines of evidence suggest that helium reionization occurred at z~3. Understanding this process is critical for a complete picture of the intergalactic medium and its evolution; it also gives clues to hydrogen reionization at z>6. The only direct means of assessing He II reionization is through far-UV observations of the He II Lyman alpha forest. Only 6 sightlines are known to date where this is feasible, despite extensive surveys. Our programme is designed to double the number of available sightlines. To this effect, we cross-correlated all known z>2.73 quasars with UV source lists from the GALEX satellite. The selected quasars were all significantly detected in the far UV by GALEX, and their UV colors are similar to those of already known quasars with transparent sightlines. Spectra obtained with COS will allow us to compile the first comprehensive sample of He II absorption spectra probing similar redshifts, enabling a systematic investigation of the He II reionization epoch and the spectral shape of the UV background.;
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