THE DISCOVERY OF A LARGE Ly{alpha}+He II NEBULA AT z {approx} 1.67: A CANDIDATE LOW METALLICITY REGION?
- Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 (United States)
We have discovered a {approx}45 kpc Ly{alpha} nebula (or Ly{alpha} 'blob') at z {approx} 1.67 which exhibits strong, spatially extended He II emission and very weak C IV and C III] emission. This is the first spatially extended Ly{alpha}+He II emitter observed and the lowest redshift Ly{alpha} blob yet found. Strong Ly{alpha} and He II{lambda}1640 emission in the absence of metal lines has been proposed as a unique observational signature of primordial galaxy formation (e.g., from gravitational cooling radiation or Population III star formation), but no convincing examples of spatially extended Ly{alpha}+He II emitters have surfaced either in Ly{alpha}-emitting galaxy surveys at high redshifts (z > 4) or in studies of Ly{alpha} nebulae at lower redshifts. From comparisons with photoionization models, we find that the observed line ratios in this nebula are consistent with low metallicity gas (Z {approx}< 10{sup -2}-10{sup -3} Z{sub sun}), but that this conclusion depends on the unknown ionization parameter of the system. The large He II equivalent width ({approx}37 {+-} 10 A) and the large He II/Ly{alpha} ratio (0.12 {+-} 0.04) suggest that the cloud is being illuminated by a hard ionizing continuum, either an active galactic nucleus (AGN) or very low metallicity stars, or perhaps powered by gravitational cooling radiation. Thus far there is no obvious sign of a powerful AGN in or near the system, so in order to power the nebula while remaining hidden from view even in the mid-infrared, the AGN would need to be heavily obscured. Despite the strong Ly{alpha}+He II emission, it is not yet clear what is the dominant power source for this nebula. The system therefore serves as an instructive example of how the complexities of true astrophysical sources will complicate matters when attempting to use a strong Ly{alpha}+He II signature as a unique tracer of primordial galaxy formation.
- OSTI ID:
- 21333813
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 702, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1088/0004-637X/702/1/554; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0004-637X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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