Are damped Ly alpha systems large galactic discs?

Authors
Sommer-Larsen, J
Citation
J. Sommer-larsen, Are damped Ly alpha systems large galactic discs?, ASTRO SP SC, 276(2-4), 2001, pp. 999-1006
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Space Sciences
Journal title
ASTROPHYSICS AND SPACE SCIENCE
ISSN journal
0004640X → ACNP
Volume
276
Issue
2-4
Year of publication
2001
Pages
999 - 1006
Database
ISI
SICI code
0004-640X(2001)276:2-4<999:ADLASL>2.0.ZU;2-4
Abstract
The hypothesis that damped Ly alpha systems (DLAs) are large galactic discs (Milky Way sized) is tested by confronting predictions of models of the fo rmation and evolution of (large) disc galaxies with observations, in partic ular the zinc abundance distribution with neutral hydrogen column density f ound for DLAs. A pronounced mismatch is found, strongly hinting that the ma jority of DLAs may not be large galactic discs.