Spectrum of the extremely distant galaxy z6VDF J022803-041618

A spectroscopic image (between the horizontal arrows) of the very distant galaxy z6VDF J022803-041618, obtained with the multi-mode FORS2 instrument at the 8.2-m VLT YEPUN telescope at the ESO Paranal Observatory. The horizontal axis shows the dispersed light, with wavelengths increasing from left to right. In this spectral image, the bright emission lines from OH molecules in the terrestrial atmosphere have been subtracted, but they still leave residual "imprints", visible as strong and "noisy" vertical bars. The "window" at wavelength 920 nm is clearly visible on the right side of the image; in this region, there is much less "noise" from the OH-lines. The dark spot at the bottom left of the image is the Lyman-alpha line of the object. The adjacent "continuum" emission from the object, although very faint, is clearly visible on the long-wavelength side (to the right) of the Lyman-alpha line. There is no such continuum emission detected on the short-wavelength side (to the left) of the Lyman alpha line. Together with the observed asymmetry of the line, this is a clear spectral fingerprint of the red-shifted Lyman-alpha emission line from a distant galaxy.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso0314c
Type:Observation
Release date:28 May 2003
Related releases:eso0314
Size:1915 x 468 px

About the Object

Name:z6VDF J022803-041618
Type:Early Universe : Galaxy
Distance:z=6.17 (redshift)
Category:Galaxies

Image Formats

Large JPEG
252.2 KB
Screensize JPEG
124.0 KB

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
InfraredVery Large Telescope
FORS2