QSO Absorption Line Systems
Abstract
Description
It is difficult to describe in a few pages the numerous specific techniques used to study absorption lines seen in QSO spectra and to review even rapidly the field of research based on their observation and analysis. What follows is therefore a pale introduction to the invaluable contribution of these studies to our knowledge of the gaseous component of the Universe and its cosmological evolution. A rich bibliography is given which, although not complete, will be hopefully useful for further investigations. Emphasis will be laid on the impact of this field on the question of the formation and evolution of galaxies.
24 pages, 11 figures, Latex, typos corrected, To be published in the proceedings of the Les Houches school "Formation and Evolution of galaxies"; O. Le Fevre and S. Charlot (eds.), Springer-Verlag
24 pages, 11 figures, Latex, typos corrected, To be published in the proceedings of the Les Houches school "Formation and Evolution of galaxies"; O. Le Fevre and S. Charlot (eds.), Springer-Verlag