NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0253
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0253 |
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PI: Brian A. Keeney, Univ. of Colorado, brian.keeney@colorado.edu
Address: Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy, 389 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0389, USA
CoI: John T. Stocke, Univ. of Colorado
CoI: Steven V. Penton, Univ. of Colorado
CoI: Matthew M. Pieri, Univ. of Colorado
CoI: James C. Green, Univ. of Colorado
CoI: Blair D. Savage, Univ. of Wisconsin
Title: Gas and Galaxies in the Cosmic Web: A Galaxy Redshift Survey around HST/COS Target Sight Lines
Abstract: The Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) was installed aboard the Hubble Space Telescope (\hst) in May 2009 and is now routinely returning UV spectra of QSOs of unprecedented quality that enable detailed studies of the low-z intergalactic medium. The unique promise of this extensive set of UV spectra is to connect QSO absorbers with galaxies - a connection which can only be made with confidence at low-z. For the past three years, we have been obtaining HYDRA spectra of all galaxies with r<=19.5 with z_\rm photo < z_\rm AGN that are within 20\arcmin of the 39 AGN targeted by the COS Science Team. This semester, we propose to complete this spectroscopic campaign for our southern hemisphere sight lines. Additionally, we propose to acquire Gemini/GMOS spectroscopy of 19.5 < r <=22.5 galaxies over a 5\arcmin FOV for two COS fields to connect a unique new type of \OVI\ absorber, which redshifts into the \hst/COS band at z>=0.1, to galaxies and galaxy groups. When combined with the \hst/COS far-UV spectra, these galaxy spectra will enhance our understanding of the composition and topology of the Universe in both gas and galaxies, allowing us to refine the local baryon census, investigate galaxy/absorber relationships, assess the extent of metal transport away from galaxies, and constrain the metallicity of gas in galaxy voids.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0253 |
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