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Title:
Deep Searches for High Redshift Molecular Absorption
Authors:
Curran, Steve J.; Webb, John K.; Murphy, Michael T.
Affiliation:
AA(University of New South Wales), AB(University of New South Wales), AC(Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge )
Publication:
The Astrochemistry of External Galaxies, 25th meeting of the IAU, Joint Discussion 21, 23 July 2003, Sydney, Australia
Publication Date:
00/2003
Origin:
IAU
Bibliographic Code:
2003IAUJD..21E...7C

Abstract

Despite much searching molecular absorption at high redshift has only been found in few cases - ultra-violet H2 lines redshifted to optical wavelengths in 7 z > 1.8 damped Lyman-alpha absorbers (DLAs) and rotational molecular lines at millimetre wavelengths towards optically dim radio quasars. To date we have performed several deep searches for rotational molecular transitions in DLAs and conclude that NH2 < 1% NHI. As the next step of this work we shall increase the search sensitivity by an order of magnitude via 12-mm observations of z < 2.4 DLAs with the Green Bank Telescope this April. Also we shall present the results from a 3-mm scan towards optically dim radio quasars with the Nobeyama 45-m telescope (May 2003). With this strategy we hope to avoid any possble bias against finding molecular absorption introduced by using optically selected objects (i.e. DLAs). Although we shall use part of the telescope time to check a tentative detection of CO 3-4 in the DLA towards 0458-020. As with the GBT the Nobeyama telescope will increase the search sensitivity by an order of magnitude thus increasing our confidence in detecting the material responsible for the optical obscuration of the background quasar.
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