Detection of large scale Ly$\alpha$ absorbers at large angles to the radio axis of high-redshift radio galaxies using SOAR

TL;DR

This study investigates the extended Lyα halos and large-scale H I absorption around high-redshift radio galaxies at large angles to their radio axes, revealing turbulent gas motions and giant expanding gas shells.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the properties and dynamics of Lyα halos and H I absorption structures at large angles, using SOAR spectroscopic observations of high-redshift radio galaxies.

Findings

Detection of broad Lyα emission with large line widths indicating turbulence.

Correlation between blueshift and FWHM suggesting radial gas motion.

Identification of extensive blueshifted Lyα absorption consistent with expanding gas shells.

Abstract

We present an investigation of the properties of the extended Ly$\alpha$ halo and the large-scale \ion{H}{I} absorbing structures associated with 5 high-redshift radio galaxies at z $>$ 2, using the Goodman long-slit spectrograph on the SOAR telescope, with the slit placed at large angles ($>$45$^{\circ}$) to the radio axis, to study regions that are unlikely to be illuminated by the active nucleus. Spatially extended Ly$\alpha$ emission is detected with large line widths (FWHM = 1000 -- 2500 km s$^{-1}$), which although impacted by resonant scattering, is suggestive of turbulent motion. We find a correlation between higher blueshifts and higher FWHM, which is an indication that radial motion dominates the bulk gas dynamics perpendicular to the radio axis, although we are unable to distinguish between outflow and infall scenarios due to the resonant nature of the Ly$\alpha$ line. Extended, blueshifted Ly$\alpha$ absorption is detected in the direction perpendicular to the radio axis in three radio galaxies with minimum spatial extents ranging from $\gtrsim$27 kpc to $\gtrsim$35 kpc, supporting the idea that the absorbing structure covers the entire Ly$\alpha$ halo, consistent with being part of a giant, expanding shell of gas enveloping the galaxy and its (detected) gaseous halo.