Jessica L. Evans

graduate student, M.S., Department of Astronomy, New Mexico State University
jlevans at nmsu.edu

Research

A quasar absorption line spectrum.

Armed with the largest database of high resolution, high signal-to-noise quasar absorption line spectra ever compiled, I am currently analyzing the sample of about 490 MgII doublet systems in order to shed much needed light on our current picture of galaxy and intergalactic medium gas kinematics and structure, and to chart how these have changed throughout cosmic time. This will be achieved by studying the distributions of, and evolution in, the system equivalent widths, column densities, Doppler b parameters, flux decrements, and velocity widths over the redshift range 0.2 < z < 2.6 in order to construct a statistical framework for understanding the physical processes selected by the presence of MgII.

Additionally, with the aid of powerful cosmological hydrodynamic n-body simulations, synthetic quasar lines of sight can be used to place constraints on scenarios of galaxy formation. In turn I will be able to study MgII selected "galaxies" as has never been done before in such great detail at such high redshifts.

A MgII doublet, along with other ion transitions of the absorption system and their Voigt profile fits.