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Metal abundances and kinematics of a high-redshift galaxy obtained with the Kech telescopeWe use the Kech 10 m telescope and its high-resolution echelle spectrometer (HIRES) to obtain accurate high-resolution spectra of a quasar to determine element abundances of a probable foreground young galaxy with redshift z = 2.309. Precise measurements of absorption lines lead to the first accurate abundance determinations on Zn, Cr, and Ni at large redshifts. We find that (Zn/H) = -1.55 +/- 0.11, while (Cr/H) = -1.79 +/- 0.10 and (Ni/H) = -2.13 +/- 0.08. The Zn abundance indicates low metallicity, while the Cr and Ni abundances are consistent with depletion of these elements onto grains. We also find (O/H) less than 0.97. Therefore, the galaxy is more metal-deficient than the oldest disk stars in the Galaxy. The kinematic evidence is consistent with a thick disk of gas with rotation speed and radius comparable to the rotation speeds and radii of current luminous spiral galaxies. Therefore, a rotationally supported disk may be in place at z greater than 2.
Document ID
19950045436
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Wolfe, Arthur M.
(Univ. of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA United States)
Fan, Xiao-Ming
(Univ. of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA United States)
Tytler, David
(Univ. of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA United States)
Vogt, Steven S.
(Univ. of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA United States)
Keane, Michael J.
(Univ. of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA United States)
Lanzetta, Kenneth M.
(Univ. of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
November 10, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 2 - Letters
Volume: 435
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astronomy
Accession Number
95A77035
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-2119
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-26555
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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