A Damped Lyα Absorption-Line System in an Apparent Void at Redshift 2.38

Leith E. H. Godfrey and Paul J. Francis

Abstract

We study the contents of an apparent void in the distribution of Lyα emitting galaxies at redshift 2.38. We show that this void is not empty, but contains a damped Lyα absorption-line system, seen in absorption against background QSO 2138-4427. Imaging does not reveal any galaxy associated with this absorption-line system, but it contains metals (Fe/H ~ –1.3), and its large velocity range (~180 km s^–1) implies a significant mass.

Keywords: Large Scale Structure of Universe — quasars: individual (2138-4427) — quasars: absorption lines

Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia 22(3) 245 - 248  doi:10.1071/AS05009