Quasar spectra caused by atoms absorbing or emitting light?

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newtonian

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This is a question mentioned on the Science channel broadcast, to begin in about 15 minutes, entitled "Cosmic Odyssey," episode "Extreme Astronomy," (2002).<br /><br />Compare the lyman-alpha forest of spectral lines in Quasar spectra caused by (apparently) absorption by hot intergalactic (IGM) gas clouds (ionized).<br /><br />See a Scientific American article on the latter - very interesting as is the broadcast!
 
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Saiph

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care to provide a bit more background?<br /><br />But I'll give you my answer, since I actually worked with one of the active quasar researchers: Both. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p align="center"><font color="#c0c0c0"><br /></font></p><p align="center"><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">----</font></em></font><font color="#666699">SaiphMOD@gmail.com </font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">-------------------</font></em></font></p><p><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">"This is my Timey Wimey Detector.  Goes "bing" when there's stuff.  It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually.  I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- </font></em></font><font size="1" color="#999999">The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>
 
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newtonian

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Saiph - The broadcast indicated current (2002) debate on this point.<br /><br />I guess the point would be: which in which case.<br /><br />The Lyman-alpha forest comment comes from a good Scientific American article on the newly discovered hot and ionized state of the IGM.<br /><br />The 'forest' of lines in Quasar spectra were interpreted to be caused by interaction with ionized 'clouds' between the quasar and us.<br /><br />I'll have to dig up the article to post further on it.<br /><br />That will be another day - unless you get to it first.<br /><br />Is that (Sciam) interpretation solid or debated at this time - that's my question in a nutshell.
 
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Saiph

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The lyman alpha "forest" lines are what you're asking about? They've been around for a bit, and are taken as one piece of evidence of the expanding nature of the universe. If you can get the SDC search engine to behave you'll probably be able to dig up times I've referenced it in the past. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p align="center"><font color="#c0c0c0"><br /></font></p><p align="center"><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">----</font></em></font><font color="#666699">SaiphMOD@gmail.com </font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">-------------------</font></em></font></p><p><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">"This is my Timey Wimey Detector.  Goes "bing" when there's stuff.  It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually.  I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- </font></em></font><font size="1" color="#999999">The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>
 
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