Abstract
We present the first spectroscopic measurement of the spatial cross-correlation function between damped Lyα systems (DLAs) and Lyman break galaxies (LBGs). Analysis of deep u'BVRI imaging of nine QSO fields with 11 known z ∼ 3 DLAs has spectroscopically confirmed 211 z > 2 LBGs to R = 25.5. We find strong evidence for an overdensity of LBGs near DLAs versus random, the results of which are similar to that of LBGs near other LBGs. A maximum likelihood cross-correlation analysis finds the best-fit value for the correlation length to be r0 = 2.9-1.5+1.4h -1 Mpc using a fixed value of γ = 1.6. The implications of the DLA-LBG clustering amplitude on the average dark matter halo mass of DLAs are discussed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | L9-L12 |
| Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
| Volume | 636 |
| Issue number | 1 II |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2006 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science
Keywords
- Galaxies: evolution
- Galaxies: formation
- Galaxies: high-redshift
- Quasars: absorption lines
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Cooke, J., Wolfe, A. M., Gawiser, E., & Prochaska, J. X. (2006). Measurement of the spatial cross-correlation function of damped Lyα systems and Lyman break galaxies. Astrophysical Journal, 636(1 II), L9-L12. https://doi.org/10.1086/499779