Interpreting the convergence of Lyman series absorption lines

Spectra of quasars at high z often show absorption at the Lyman limit from intervening gas systems at intermediate z having N(H) approx. greater than 10(exp 7) cm(-2). In some circumstances, N(H) can be determined by measuring the strength of the Lyman limit absorption or the damping wings of Lyman - alpha. With a spectrum taken at low wavelength resolution, say, lambda/delta lambda approx. 10(exp 3), it is usually not possible to distinguish individual Lyman series lines near the limit, yet one can still discern how rapidly the average intensity drops off as the limit is approached from the long wavelength side. The purpose here is to point out the information which is available from measurements of this series convergence

Observations of interstellar lines using the IUE satellite, covering the years 1978 - 1988

The study of absorption lines produced by dispersed gases in front of various sources in the sky were addressed. Data was used from the IUE satellite. The results of the projects are summarized

The interstellar cloud surrounding the Sun: a new perspective

Aims: We offer a new, simpler picture of the local interstellar medium, made of a single continuous cloud enveloping the Sun. This new outlook enables the description of a diffuse cloud from within and brings to light some unexpected properties. Methods: We re-examine the kinematics and abundances of the local interstellar gas, as revealed by the published results for the ultraviolet absorption lines of MgII, FeII, and HI. Results: In contrast to previous representations, our new picture of the local interstellar medium consists of a single, monolithic cloud that surrounds the Sun in all directions and accounts for most of the matter present in the first 50 parsecs around the Sun. The cloud fills the space around us out to about 9 pc in most directions, although its boundary is very irregular with possibly a few extensions up to 20 pc. The cloud does not behave like a rigid body: gas within the cloud is being differentially decelerated in the direction of motion, and the cloud is expanding in directions perpendicular to this flow, much like a squashed balloon. Average HI volume densities inside the cloud vary between 0.03 and 0.1 cm-3 over different directions. Metals appear to be significantly depleted onto grains, and there is a steady increase in depletion from the rear of the cloud to the apex of motion. There is no evidence that changes in the ionizing radiation influence the apparent abundances. Secondary absorption components are detected in 60% of the sight lines. Almost all of them appear to be interior to the volume occupied by the main cloud. Half of the sight lines exhibit a secondary component moving at about -7.2 km/s with respect to the main component, which may be the signature of a shock propagating toward the cloud's interior.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic