Description
We present the results of two complementary investigations into the nature of strong (rest equivalent width, Wr>1.0{AA}) MgII absorption systems at high redshift. The first line of questioning examines the complete Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 3 set of quasar spectra to determine the evolution of the incidence of strong MgII absorption. This search resulted in 7421 confirmed MgII systems of Wr>1.0{AA}, yielding a >95% complete statistical sample of 4835 absorbers (systems detected in S/N>7 spectral regions) spanning a redshift range 0.35<z<2.3.
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