Lyman-Alpha Blobs in a Filament at z=2.38

Abstract

Bright, extended Lyman-alpha nebulae (known as blobs) appear to be common in the densest environments at high redshift, and may be an important stage in galaxy evolution. Up to now, Chandra data have not distinguished between the possible excitation mechanisms, but suggest that we are seeing dense intracluster gas either falling into forming galaxies (cooling flows) or being expelled into the intracluster medium, enriching it. Optical and X-ray evidence also suggests that some blobs harbor AGN. We took a 20 ksec exposure with Chandra of four Lyman-alpha blobs in a large filament at z=2.38, which completed the X-ray observations of all currently known blobs. We will present flux constraints for the blobs from the Chandra data and optical spectra of the field taken with the AAT+2dF (see accompanying poster by Woodgate et al.). Possible mechanisms for the extended emission of the Lyman-alpha blobs will be discussed. Show more