INTERMEDIATE RESOLUTION SPECTROSCOPY OF THE RADIO GALAXY B2 0902+34 AT $Z\approx 3.4$

Abstract

We have carried out spectroscopic observations of the high redshift ($z\approx 3.4$) radio galaxy 0902+34 at intermediate resolution with the William Herschel Telescope. The dynamical spectral ranges covered are 4600-5480 \AA and 5920-7680 \AA with resolutions of 5.4 \AA and 9.5 \AA, respectively. We detect a continuum that is almost flat and resolve three emission lines: Ly$\alpha$, C IV $\lambda$1549 and He II $\lambda$1640, the last one previously undetected. The line ratios are similar to the typical values found for narrow-line high redshift radio galaxies. Line ratios observed in different regions of the galaxy seem to indicate the presence of strong ionization and/or dust density gradients. We have not detected any Ly$\alpha$ absorption at z=3.3968 (red wing of the Ly$\alpha$ emission line) as might be expected from the absorption found at 21 cm by other authors using the VLA and Arecibo antennas. We discuss possible models for the H I absorbing cloud.