Open AccessPossible evidence for a variable fine‐structure constant from QSO absorption lines: systematic errors
Author(s) -
Murphy M.T.,
Webb J.K.,
Flambaum V.V.,
Churchill C.W.,
Prochaska J.X.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2001.04841.x
Subject(s) - physics , quasar , fine structure constant , astrophysics , redshift , spectral line , systematic error , constant (computer programming) , range (aeronautics) , absorption spectroscopy , absorption (acoustics) , interpretation (philosophy) , computational physics , astronomy , optics , galaxy , statistics , quantum mechanics , materials science , mathematics , computer science , programming language , electron , composite material
Comparison of quasar (QSO) absorption spectra with laboratory spectra allows us to probe possible variations in the fundamental constants over cosmological time‐scales. In a companion paper we present an analysis of Keck/HIRES spectra and report possible evidence suggesting that the fine‐structure constant, α , may have been smaller in the past: over the redshift range . In this paper we describe a comprehensive investigation into possible systematic effects. Most of these do not significantly influence our results. When we correct for those which do produce a significant systematic effect in the data, the deviation of from zero becomes more significant. We are led increasingly to the interpretation that α was slightly smaller in the past.