High Signal-to-Noise Echelle Spectroscopy of HS 1946+7658

Abstract

We have observed HS 1946+7658 with the echelle spectrograph on the Kitt Peak 4m telescope. The signal-to-noise of the final coadded spectrum ranges from 40:1 to 80:1 per pixel with a resolution of 20 km s⁻¹ (FWHM). The heavy element systems that we have identified in the spectrum of this QSO are summarized in Table 1; we detect eleven heavy element systems including two damped Lyman α systems, one associated system (i.e., zabs ≈ z _em), two Mg II systems, and six C IV systems. The results of a detailed analysis of the metal abundances and physical conditions in the two damped Lyα systems are found in Lu et al. (this meeting and 1995). The complex data set, reduction techniques, and results relevant to the remaining absorption line systems are found in Tripp et al. (1995).