Physics
Scientific paper
Jul 1999
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1999hst..prop.8283b&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #8283
Physics
Hst Proposal Id #8283 Agn Physics
Scientific paper
Recent studies of high-redshift quasars suggest that their broad emission line regions {BELRs} have metallicities {Z} that are generally above solar. A natural conclusion is that quasars are associated with an epoch of very rapid and extensive star formation during the birth of massive galaxies. However, these metallicity estimates rest on just a few emission lines, most notably N V Lambda1240. We have embarked on a study of other BEL metallicity indicators, especially other nitrogen lines. The N IV Lambda1486 and N III Lambda1750 intercombination lines can be useful abundance probes, but are usually too weak to measure. The only other permitted N line, N III Lambda990, should be an excellent diagnostic but its short wavelength make observations difficult. The quasar Q0353-383 is an ideal test case for all these abundance indicators because the intercombination lines are known to be strong {Osmer 1980}. We propose HST-STIS observations to measure N III 990 and other emission lines below LyAlpha to complement our ground-based spectra. The combined data set will complete our reconnaissance of the nitrogen spectrum, measure the gas density and constrain the ionization using abundance-independent line ratios. We will compare results from the various abundance diagnostics, and derive a definitive nitrogen abundance from several stages of ionization.
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