Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-06-13
Astron.Astrophys. 422 (2004) L33-L37
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Accepted for publication in A&A-Letters
Scientific paper
10.1051/0004-6361:20040194
In an ongoing programme to identify a sample of high z DLA galaxies we have found the long sought for case of a Ly-alpha emitter seen in the centre of a broad DLA trough. This is the predicted `textbook case' of an intervening DLA galaxy if DLA galaxies are small, but would not be expected if intervening high redshift DLA galaxies have large gaseous disks. The Ly-alpha flux is 5.4{+2}{-0.8} * 1e-17 ergs/s/cm2 similar to what has been found in previously known high z DLA galaxies. The impact parameter is found to be 0.3+-0.3 arcsec. This is smaller than what was found in previous cases but still consistent with random sight-lines through absorbers with mean impact parameter ~1 arcsec. Of the 24 DLAs targeted in the NICMOS imaging survey five have now been identified as Ly-alpha emitters. The DLA galaxies with detected Ly-alpha emission tend to have higher interstellar metallicities than those with undetected Ly-alpha emission. This is plausibly explained as a consequence of a positive correlation between the Ly-alpha line luminosities of the galaxies and their metallicities, although the present sample is too small for a definitive conclusion. The available observations of high-redshift DLA galaxies are also consistent with a negative correlation between Ly-alpha equivalent widths and metallicities, as seen in nearby star-forming galaxies and usually attributed to the preferential absorption of Ly-alpha photons by dust grains.
Fall Michael S.
Fynbo Johan P. U.
Moller Palle
No associations
LandOfFree
Detection of Lyman-alpha emission from a DLA galaxy: Possible implications for a luminosity-metallicity relation at z = 2-3 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 Detection of Lyman-alpha emission from a DLA galaxy: Possible implications for a luminosity-metallicity relation at z = 2-3, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Detection of Lyman-alpha emission from a DLA galaxy: Possible implications for a luminosity-metallicity relation at z = 2-3 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-507316