Lyman-alpha blob 1
Lyman-alpha blob 1 (LAB-1) is a giant cosmic cloud of gas located at the southern constellation of Aquarius, some 11.5 billion light-years from Earth with a redshift (z) of 3.09. It was discovered unexpectedly in 2000 by Charles Steidel and colleagues,[1] who were suveying for high-redshift galaxies using the 200 inch (5.08 m) Palomar telescope.[2]
LAB-1 is the first discovered, and is the prototype of the class of objects called Lyman-alpha blobs[2]—huge concentrations of gases emitting the Lyman-alpha emission line of hydrogen. It is also the largest of its kind, measuring 300,000 light years across, four times larger than the Milky Way.[3] The blob appears green on the image because of the combination of the high redshift (z = 3) and the ultraviolet nature of the blob.[3] Imaging with the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope showed that much of the light from the blob is polarized.[4]
It is still unclear as to why this object is emitting the Lyman-alpha emission radiation. The object may be a protogalaxy, or only a cloud reflecting other galaxies' lights.[3]
References
- ^ Bower, Richard (2011). "Unlocking the Secrets of the Giant Blobs". Nature. 476 (3760): 288–89. ISSN 0028-0836.
- ^ a b Steidel, Charles C.; Adelberger, Kurt L.; Shapley, Alice E. (2000). "Lyα Imaging of a Proto–Cluster Region at z = 3.09". Astrophysical Journal. 532: 170–82.
{{cite journal}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|journal=(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c "Giant Space Blob Glows from Within". ESO Press Release. 17 August 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
- ^ Hayes, Matthew; Scarlata, Claudia; Siana, Brian (2011). "Central powering of the largest Lyman-[alpha] nebula is revealed by polarized radiation". Nature. 476 (3760): 304–07. ISSN 0028-0836.
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