Abstract
Hubble Space Telescope ultraviolet spectra and ground-based optical spectra of the bright quasar PKS 0405 - 123 are used to identify two absorption-line systems probably produced by the halos of foreground galaxies. The quasar lies in a rich galaxy field. Loose groups of galaxies are present in the field at 〈z1〉 =0.1669 and 〈z2〉 =0.3519. Ly α, C IV λ1549, and probably Mg II λ2798 resonance lines are detected in an absorption system at z=0.1670. An absorption system consisting of only Ly α is observed at z=0.3516. We cannot be completely certain which foreground galaxy is responsible for the metal line absorption system at z1. A likely candidate is a large, luminous, early-type spiral 40″ (projected distance 78h-1 kpc) to the east of the quasar. However, the origin of the z1 system could possibly be a small, undetected galaxy more precisely aligned along our line of sight to PKS 0405 - 123, or a very faint galaxy whose redshift has not yet been measured.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-5 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Astronomical Journal |
Volume | 106 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1993 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science