The absorbers towards Q0836+113

Abstract

We have performed RIJHK_S imaging of the field around the z=2.67 quasar Q0836+113, which presents several metal line and a damped Lyαabsorption systems in its spectrum. The images reveal the existence of a red K_S=18.9 object \approx 11 arcsec from the quasar. On the basis of the empirical relationships between absorption radius and luminosity we conclude that this object may be the CIV absorber at z=1.82. This could be the first detection of a high redshift galaxy causing high-ionisation absorption. After carefully subtracting the QSO, we do not detect, up to a 3σlimiting magnitude for extended objects of K_S=20.8, the damped Lyαabsorber apparently detected as a Lyαemitter at z=2.47. It is also suggested, that object ``SW'' from Wolfe et al. (1992) could be the galaxy responsible for the claimed MgII absorption at z=0.37.

6 pages, 6 figures, aatex. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics