The Multi-phase Absorption Systems Toward PG 1206+459

Abstract

A high-resolution HST/STIS spectrum (R=30,000) is presented of the three MgII-selected absorption systems (A, B, and C, clustered within 1500km/s) at z~0.93 toward the quasar PG 1206+459. A WIYN Gunn i-band image of the quasar field and spectroscopy of two galaxy candidates are also presented. A multi-phase medium is seen in all three systems, consistent with smaller, denser clouds producing low-ionization transitions (MgII, FeII, and SiII) and larger, diffuse clouds giving rise to high-ionization transitions (CIV, NV, and/or OVI). (1) System A, a multi-cloud, weak MgII absorber at z=0.9254, requires a super-solar metallicity in both low- and high-ionization phases, unless an alpha-group enhancement is included. With the unusually complex velocity structure resolved in the NV profiles, this system is unlikely to represent a traditional galaxy disk/corona. The most likely candidate host galaxy is a ~2L^*, apparently warped, spiral at an impact parameter of 43h^-1 kpc. (2) System B, at z=0.9276, has the strongest MgII absorption and has an approximately solar metallicity in the low-ionization phase. The smooth, broad high-ionization profiles may indicate a coronal structure similar to that of the Milky Way. The redshift of an L^* galaxy (z=0.9289), at an impact parameter of 38h^-1 kpc is consistent with the redshift of this system. (3) System C, at z=0.9342, has a single component in MgII, separated from the other two systems by ~1000km/s. It lacks the small, low-ionization cloud characteristic of an isolated single-cloud, weak MgII absorber. Its absorption properties are similar to the ``satellite clouds'' of classic strong MgII absorbers, so this could be a high-velocity cloud in the galaxy group responsible for the systems, possibly related to a 0.2L^* galaxy at an impact parameter of 43h^-1 kpc.