Spatially resolved spectroscopy of the gravitational lens system 2237 + 030
Abstract
Long-slit, CCD spectra of the central region of the gravitational lens system candidate 2237+030 were obtained at the CFHT. The slit was placed in two position angles covering two of the four quasar component candidates at a time. The brightest two components (A and B) are spatially resolved and have similar C III] emission-line profiles. The fainter two components (C and D) are marginally resolved spatially, and have C III] profiles also similar to that observed for components A and B, although there is substantial contamination through scattering from A and B. The spatial position and extent of the C III] emission line from the spectrum of components C and D are found to be consistent with the hypothesis that at least component C has a quasar spectrum identical to that of components A and B. The spectroscopic data strongly confirm the hypothesis that 2237+030 is a gravitational lens system.