On the Nature of Damped LYα Systems: Clues from Determinations of Elemental Abundance Ratios

Centurión, M.; Bonifacio, P.; Molaro, P.; Vladilo, G.
Bibliographical reference

Astrophysics and Space Science, v. 263, Issue 1/4, p. 79-82 (1998).

Advertised on:
6
1998
Number of authors
4
IAC number of authors
0
Citations
0
Refereed citations
0
Description
We present a study of the [α/Fe-peak] and [N/α] abundance ratios in Damped Lyα (DLA) systems. By using ratios of undepleted elements ([S/Zn] and [N/S]) or when abundances of refractory elements are corrected by dust depletion ([Si/Fe]corr), the resulting ratios do not resemble those observed in the Galactic metal-poor stars, showing instead similarities with those ratios observed in dwarf galaxies. These results challenge the idea that these absorbers are the progenitors of the present-day spiral galaxies, and suggest an origin in low-mass galaxies for the systems up to now investigated.