The Evolution and Space Density of Damped Lyman-α Galaxies

Abstract

The results of a new spectroscopic survey of 66 z ≳ 4 quasars for Damped Lyman-a absorption systems are presented. The search led to the discovery of 26 new DLA candidates which are analysed in order to compute the comoving mass density of neutral gas in a non-zero A Universe. The possible sources of uncertainty are discussed and the implications of our results for the theories of galaxy formation and evolution are emphasized. A subsequent paper will present details of the calculations summarised here and a more extensive explanation of the consequences of our observations for the understanding of the nature of DLAs.

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