EDP Sciences Journals List
Advanced Search
Subscriber Authentication Point
Home All issues Volume 417/2 Article
Free access article

Issue A&A
Volume 417, Number 2, April II 2004
Page(s) 487 - 498
Section Extragalactic astronomy
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20034371



A&A 417, 487-498 (2004)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20034371

Integral field spectroscopy of extended Ly $\mathsf{\alpha}$ emission from the DLA galaxy in Q2233+131

L. Christensen1, S. F. Sánchez1, K. Jahnke1, T. Becker1, L. Wisotzki1, 2, A. Kelz1, L. C. Popovic1, 3 and M. M. Roth1

1  Astrophysikalisches Institut Potsdam, An der Sternwarte 16, 14482 Potsdam, Germany
2  Potsdam University, Am Neuen Palais 10, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
3  Astronomical Observatory, Volgina 7, 11160 Belgrade 74, Serbia

(Received 22 September 2003 / Accepted 15 December 2003 )

Abstract
This paper presents observations of an extended Lyman- $\alpha$ emission nebula surrounding the galaxy responsible for the Damped Lyman- $\alpha$ Absorption (DLA) line in the spectrum of the quasar Q2233+131 . With the Potsdam Multi Aperture Spectrophotometer (PMAS) we measure the properties of the extended Ly $\alpha$ emission in an area of $3\arcsec$  $\times$ $5\arcsec$ having a total line flux of ( 2.8  $\pm$ 0.3)  $\times$ 10-16 erg cm -2 s -1, which at redshift z=3.15 corresponds to a luminosity of ( $2.4_{-0.2}^{+0.3})\times10^{43}$ erg s -1 and a size of 23  $\times$ 38 kpc. The location of the emission is spatially coincident with the previously detected DLA galaxy, but extends significantly beyond its limb. We argue that the Ly $\alpha$ emission is likely to be caused by an outflow from the DLA galaxy, presumably powered by star formation. In the case of negligible dust extinction, the Ly $\alpha$ luminosity indicates a star-formation rate of 19  $\pm$ $10~M_{\odot}$ yr -1 consistent with that derived from the UV continuum flux from the parent galaxy. The wind velocity indicated by the integral field spectra is of the order of several hundred km s -1. We find no indication of emission originating in a rotating disk.


Key words: galaxies: high redshift -- galaxies: quasars: absorption lines -- galaxies: kinematics and dynamics -- galaxies: quasars: individual: Q2233+131

Offprint request: L. Christensen, lchristensen@aip.de

SIMBAD Objects



© ESO 2004


What is OpenURL?

The OpenURL standard is a protocol for transmission of metadata describing the resource that you wish to access. An OpenURL link contains article metadata and directs it to the OpenURL server of your choice. The OpenURL server can provide access to the resource and also offer complementary services (specific search engine, export of references...). The OpenURL link can be generated by different means.
  • If your librarian has set up your subscription with an OpenURL resolver, OpenURL links appear automatically on the abstract pages.
  • You can define your own OpenURL resolver with your EDPS Account. In this case your choice will be given priority over that of your library.
  • You can use an add-on for your browser (Firefox or I.E.) to display OpenURL links on a page (see http://www.openly.com/openurlref/). You should disable this module if you wish to use the OpenURL server that you or your library have defined.