Absorption spectrum of the quasar HS1603+3820 I. Observations and data analysis

We present the analysis of multi-wavelength observations of bright quasar HS1603+3820: the optical data taken with the MMT and Keck telescopes, and X-ray data obtained with the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The optical spectra contain a very large number of absorption lines from numerous heavy elements. We derived X-ray properties of HS1603. The quasar has the optical-to-X-ray slope index alpha_ox of 1.70, which is on the high end of the typical range for radio quiet QSOs. We found 49 individual heavy element absorption clouds, which can be grouped into eleven distinct systems. We determined column densities and redshifts of the individual components. Absorbers from the associated system which is likely spatially closest to the QSO show large CIV to HI column density ratio, reaching ca.20.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A, 17 pages, 11 figures, 5 table

Absorption spectra of Q 0000-263 and Q 1442+101

Studying the Lyman-alpha forest allows us to trace the cosmological distribution of matter through time, and may reveal insights into important questions such as the onset of galaxy formation. An equation for determining the number of Lyman-alpha absorption lines per redshift per rest equivalent in the Lyman-alpha forest is given. For a nonevolving population of clouds gamma = 1 for q(sub 0) = 0, and gamma = 0.5 for q(sub 0) = 0.5. A detailed study of the Lyman-alpha forests of Q 1442+101 at z(sub em) = 3.54 and Q 0000-263 at z(sub em) = 4.11

A Uniform Analysis of the Ly-alpha forest at z = 0 - 5: I. The sample and distribution of clouds at z > 1.7

We present moderate resolution data for 39 QSOs at z $\approx$ 2 obtained at the Multiple Mirror Telescope. These data are combined with spectra of comparable resolution of 60 QSOs with redshifts greater than 1.7 found in the literature to investigate the distribution of Ly-alpha forest lines in redshift and equivalent width. We find a value for $\gamma$, the parameter describing the number distribution of Ly-alpha forest lines in redshift, of $1.88\pm0.22$ for lines stronger than a rest equivalent width of 0.32 $\AA$, in good agreement with some previous studies. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to the data and it is found that this single power law is a good fit over the relevant redshift ranges. Simulations of the Lyman alpha forest were performed to determine the completeness of the line lists and to test how well the analysis the underlying line statistics, given this level of completeness.Comment: minor corrections to text, 37 Latex pages, 11 encapsulated Postscript figures, uses emulateapj.sty, To appear in the Sept. 2000 ApJS, line lists and spectra available at http://qso.as.arizona.edu/~jscott/Spectra/index.htm

Discovery of four X-ray quasars behind the Large Magellanic Cloud

We present the discovery of four X-ray quasars (z_em = 0.26, 0.53, 0.61, 1.63) located behind the Large Magellanic Cloud; three of them are located behind the bar of the LMC. The quasars were identified via spectroscopy of optical counterparts to X-ray sources found serendipitously by the Chandra X-ray Observatory satellite. All four quasars have archival VI photometry from the OGLE-II project; one of them was found by OGLE to be variable. We present the properties of the quasars and discuss their possible applications.Comment: AASTeX, 8 pages, 1 ps figure, accepted for publication in Ap.J.Letter

A Uniform Analysis of the Ly-alpha forest at z = 0 - 5: II. Measuring the mean intensity of the extragalactic ionizing background using the proximity effect

A homogeneous sample of 99 moderate resolution QSO spectra at z > 1.7 were presented in Paper I, including 39 previously unpublished spectra from the Multiple Mirror Telescope. The statistics of the Lyman alpha forest were discussed. In this analysis, we demonstrate that a proximity effect is present in the data, ie. there exists a significant (5.5$\sigma$) deficit of lines at $z_{abs} \approx z_{em}$. Within 1.5 $h^{-1}$ Mpc of the QSO emission redshift, the significance does depend on QSO luminosity, in accordance with the theory that this effect is caused by enhanced ionization of hydrogen in the vicinity of the QSO from UV photons from the QSO itself. The photoionization model of Bajtlik, Duncan, and Ostriker (1988) permits an estimate of the mean intensity of the extragalactic background radiation at the Lyman limit. We compare the results of this standard analysis with those obtained using a maximum likelihood technique. The best fit value for $J(\nu_{0})$ is 7.0$^{+3.4}_{-4.4}$ x 10$^{-22}$ ergs/s/cm$^{2}$/Hz/sr, over the redshift range 1.7 < z < 3.8, using QSO redshifts based on narrow emission lines. The best fit value for the HI ionization rate is 1.9$^{+1.2}_{-1.0}$ x 10$^{-12}$ s$^{-1}$, in good agreement with models of the background which incorporate QSOs only. This large absorption line sample and these techniques for measuring the background and understanding the systematics involved allow us to place what we believe are are the firmest limits on the background at these redshifts.Comment: revised figures 13 and 14, and other minor corrections, 42 Latex pages, 23 encapsulated Postscript figures, uses emulateapj.sty, To appear in the Sept. 2000 ApJ

Variability-selected quasars behind the Small Magellanic Cloud

We present followup spectroscopic observations of quasar candidates in the Small Magellanic Cloud selected by Eyer from the OGLE database. Of twelve observed objects identified as "QSO Candidate", five are confirmed quasars, with the emission redshifts ranging from 0.28 to 2.16. Two of those quasars were also recently identified independently in the MACHO database by Geha et al. We discuss the prospects of using variability-based selection technique for quasar searches behind other dense stellar fields. An additional criterion utilizing the color-color diagram should reduce the number of stars in the candidate lists.Comment: Revised version, AASTeX, 11 pages, 3 EPS figures, one table, accepted 14 Nov 2002 for publication in the Astronomical Journal, March 2003 issu