Abstract
Measurements of element abundances in galaxies from astrophysical
spectroscopy depend sensitively on the atomic data used. With the goal of
making the latest atomic data accessible to the community, we present a
compilation of selected atomic data for resonant absorption lines at
wavelengths longward of 911.753 \AA (the H1 Lyman limit), for key
heavy elements (heavier than atomic number 5) of astrophysical interest. In
particular, we focus on the transitions of those ions that have been observed
in the Milky Way interstellar medium (ISM), the circumgalactic medium (CGM) of
the Milky Way and/or other galaxies, and the intergalactic medium (IGM).
We provide wavelengths, oscillator strengths (both previous and new
determinations, where available), associated accuracy grades, and references to
the oscillator strength determinations. We also attempt to compare and assess
the recent oscillator strength determinations. For about 22\% of the lines that
have updated oscillator strength values, the differences between the former
values and the updated ones are $\gtrsim$~0.1 dex.
Our compilation will be a useful resource for absorption line studies of the
ISM, as well as studies of the CGM and IGM traced by sight lines to quasars and
gamma-ray bursts. Studies (including those enabled by future generations of
extremely large telescopes) of absorption by galaxies against the light of
background galaxies will also benefit from our compilation.
Description
[1701.04847] Atomic Data Revisions for Transitions Relevant to Observations of Interstellar, Circumgalactic, and Intergalactic Matter
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