Lyman-alpha absorption and tidal debris

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (56) References (39) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Lyman-Alpha Absorption and Tidal Debris Morris, Simon L. ; van den Bergh, Sidney Abstract It is suggested that a significant fraction of the low column density absorption features seen in the spectra of quasars are produced in pressure-confined tidal debris that was built up in small groups and clusters of galaxies over a Hubble time. We show that the space density and cross section of tidal tails in groups of galaxies are large enough that they could constitute a major source of the low-redshift Lyα absorption features that are associated with galaxies. The space density of groups within 10 Mpc of our galaxy is found to be 2.4 x 10^-3^ Mpc^- 3^, which is close to the ~6 x 10^-3^ Mpc^-3^ space density calculated for Lyα absorbers, assuming they have a 1 Mpc radius. Other observational constraints on the properties of Lyα absorbers, such as their velocity dispersion, correlation properties, dimensions, and abundances, are shown to be consistent with this hypothesis. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: June 1994 DOI: 10.1086/174176 arXiv: arXiv:astro-ph/9311065 Bibcode: 1994ApJ...427..696M Keywords: Absorption Spectra; Galactic Clusters; Galactic Structure; Interacting Galaxies; Intergalactic Media; Lyman Alpha Radiation; Lyman Spectra; Quasars; Space Debris; Absorption Cross Sections; Interstellar Matter; Local Group (Astronomy); Magellanic Clouds; Space Density; Velocity Distribution; Astrophysics; GALAXIES: INTERACTIONS; GALAXIES: STRUCTURE; GALAXIES: QUASARS: ABSORPTION LINES; Astrophysics E-Print: 6 pages, uuencodes compressed postscript, Accepted for publication in ApJ full text sources arXiv | ADS | data products SIMBAD (15)