The sizes and kinematic structure of absorption systems towards the lensed quasar APM08279+5255

摘要: We have obtained spatially resolved spectra of the z em = 3.911 triply imaged QSO APM08279+5255 using Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) on board Hubble (HST). study line sight equivalent width (EW) differences and velocity shear high low ionization absorbers (including a damped Lyman alpha [DLA] system identified in unresolved ground based spectrum) three lines sight. The combination particularly rich spectrum sight-lines allow us to 27 intervening absorption systems over redshift range 1.1 80%) kpc scales. A minimum radius for strong (EW > 0.3 A) Mg II >1.4 h -1 70 is inferred from coincidences all For weak < A), maximum likelihood analysis indicates most probable coherence scale 2.0 uniform spherical geometry, with 95% confidence limits ranging between 1.5 4.4 kpc. may therefore represent distinct population smaller galaxies compared which we know be associated luminous whose halos extend tens Alternatively, reside outer parts larger galaxies, where their filling factor lower. By cross-correlating along different sight, infer velocities typically less than 20 km s both absorbers. Finally, that can confidently converted column densities, find constant N(C IV)/N(Si IV) across Similarly, [Al/Fe] ratios abs 2.974 DLA are consistent solar relative abundances transverse distance ∼0.35