Detection of the 2175 aa extinction feature at z=0.83
Apr, 2002Citations per year
Abstract: (arXiv)
We determine the extinction curve in the z_l=0.83 lens galaxy of the gravitational lens SBS0909+532 from the wavelength dependence of the flux ratio between the lensed quasar images (z_s=1.38) from 3400 to 9200\AA. It is the first measurement of an extinction curve at a cosmological distance of comparable quality to those obtained within the Galaxy. The extinction curve has a strong 2175\AA feature, a noteworthy fact because it has been weak or non-existent in most estimates of extinction curves outside the Galaxy. The extinction curve is fitted well by a standard Galactic extinction curve. If we assume standard Galactic extinction laws, the estimated dust redshift of is in good agreement with the spectroscopic redshift of the lens galaxy. The widespread assumption that SMC extinction curves are more appropriate models for cosmological dust may be incorrect.References(26)
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