Lyα Forest Tomography of the z > 2 Cosmic Web
Abstract
The hydrogen Lyα forest is an important probe of the z > 2 Universe that is otherwise challenging to observe with galaxy redshift surveys, but this technique has traditionally been limited to 1D studies in front of bright quasars. However, by pushing to faint magnitudes (g > 23) with 8-10m large telescopes it becomes possible to exploit the high area density of high-redshift star-forming galaxies to create 3D tomographic maps of large-scale structure in the foreground. I describe the first pilot observations using this technique, as well discuss future surveys and the resulting science possibilities for galaxy evolution and cosmology.
- Publication:
-
The Zeldovich Universe: Genesis and Growth of the Cosmic Web
- Pub Date:
- October 2016
- DOI:
- 10.1017/S1743921316010164
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1410.5598
- Bibcode:
- 2016IAUS..308..360L
- Keywords:
-
- cosmology: observations;
- galaxies: high-redshift;
- intergalactic medium;
- quasars: absorption lines;
- surveys;
- techniques: spectroscopic;
- Astrophysics - Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 4 pages, 2 figures. Conference proceedings for IAU308 Symposium on "The Zel'dovich Universe: Genesis and Growth of the Cosmic Web"