[Previous] | [Session 97] | [Next]
A. J. Baker, L. J. Tacconi, R. Genzel, D. Lutz, M. D. Lehnert (MPE Garching)
We have used the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer to establish a sensitive upper limit on CO(3-2) emission from the z = 2.98 Lyman break galaxy Westphal-MMD11. The apparent paucity of molecular gas in this system is surprising in light of its relatively strong dust emission. We consider the likeliest explanation to be that Westphal-MMD11 is approaching the end of a burst of star formation initially triggered by a major merger. This scenario is reinforced by a comparison with the z = 2.73 (lensed) Lyman break galaxy MS1512-cB58, whose measured CO(3-2) line flux implies we are observing it in the middle of a longer-duration episode of more quiescent star formation.
Operations at IRAM are funded by the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France), the MPG (Max Planck Gesellschaft, Germany), and the IGN (Instituto Geografico Nacional, Spain).
[Previous] | [Session 97] | [Next]
Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 35#5
© 2003. The American Astronomical Soceity.