Heavy-element enrichment in low-density regions of the intergalactic medium
Article Abstract:
Low-density intergalactic gas at high redshift is predicted to be poor in heavy elements in models for the composition of the diffuse intergalactic medium. A method to analyze carbon and oxygen absorption lines in quasar spectra is presented, enabling the probing of heavy-element abundances at a redshift of three within low density areas of intergalactic gas. The unexpected enrichment of low density gas in heavy elements in the experiment, indicates that early small galaxies could be more efficient at ejecting heavy elements that was previously thought.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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Detection of intergalactic red-giant-branch stars in the Virgo cluster
Article Abstract:
It has been possible to directly detect intergalactic stars in deep images of a blank field in the Virgo cluster. These observations favour a rather small mass fraction in the diffuse population. The results are consistent only if the intergalactic population is metal-rich, or the Virgo cluster is more distant than around 20 Mpc. Future research should show whether the profile of the intergalactic stars has similarities with that of the gravitating mass, whether it is smoothly distributed and whether it is centred on M87.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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