Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
1997-06-29
ApJ,485,L21
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
plain LaTex with 4 postscript figures. Accepted, Ap.J. Letters
Scientific paper
10.1086/310807
We report a sensitive search for redshifted CO (3-2) emission from the weak radio galaxy 53W002 at z=2.394. Maps at resolutions of 3 arcsec and 235km/s show a significant emission peak within 0.5 arcsec of the optical and radio continuum peaks. The measured narrow band flux is approximately ten times the extrapolated cm-wavelength non-thermal radio continuum expected at 101.9 GHz and exhibits a spectral profile implying a 540 km/s width (FWHM) at a systemic redshift z=2.394 for CO (3-2). This emission has a total integrated flux of 1.51(+/-0.2) Jy km/s, approximately four times weaker than that previously seen in the lensed systems FSC10214+4724 and the Cloverleaf QSO. For a Galactic CO-to-H2 conversion ratio, the implied molecular gas mass is 7.4x10^10 solar masses (H=75 km/s/Mpc and q=0.5). The CO emission is elongated at P.A.=120 degrees with a deconvolved major axis radius of 15 kpc (2.8 arcsec). This extension is along a similar direction to that seen in the cm-wave radio continuum and the optical but approximately three times larger. A velocity gradient is seen along the major axis, and if this structure is a (forming) disk, the implied dynamical mass is 9-22x10^10 solar masses at radii less than or equal to 15 kpc, assuming inclination i=0 degrees (edge-on). The magnitude of these masses and the similarity of the high gas-mass fraction are consistent with the host galaxy of 53W002 being a young galactic system, but the metallicity (probably greater than or equal to 0.1 solar in order to produce the CO lines) implies significant heavy element production prior to z=2.4. This constitutes the first high redshift molecular gas which is detected in emission where there is probably no gravitational magnification.
Armus Lee
Keel William C.
Scoville Nicholas Z.
Windhorst Rogier A.
Yun Min. S.
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