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Absorption line systems detected in quasar spectra can be used to compare the value of the fine-structure constant, {alpha}, measured today on Earth with its value in distant galaxies. In recent years, some evidence has emerged of small temporal and also spatial variations of {alpha} on cosmological scales which may reach a fractional level of ~ 10 ppm (parts per million). To test these claims we are conducting a Large Program with the VLT UVES . We are obtaining high-resolution (R ~ 60000 and high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ~ 100) UVES spectra calibrated specifically for this purpose. Here we analyse the first complete quasar spectrum from this Program, that of HE 2217-2818. We apply the Many Multiplet method to measure {alpha} in 5 absorption systems towards this quasar: zabs = 0.7866, 0.9424, 1.5558, 1.6279 and 1.6919. The most precise result is obtained for the absorber at zabs = 1.6919 where 3 Fe II transitions and Al II {lambda}1670 have high S/N and provide a wide range of sensitivities to {alpha}. The absorption profile is complex, with several very narrow features, and requires 32 velocity components to be fitted to the data. Our final result for the relative variation in {alpha} in this system is Delta{alpha}/{alpha} = +1.3 +/- 2.4stat +/- 1.0sys ppm. This is one of the tightest current bounds on {alpha} variation from an individual absorber. The absorbers towards quasar HE 2217-2818 reveal no evidence for variation in {alpha} at the 3 ppm precision level (1{sigma} confidence). If the recently reported 10 ppm dipolar variation of {alpha} across the sky were correct, the expectation at this sky position is (3.2-5.4) +/-1.7 ppm depending on dipole model used . Our constraint of Delta{alpha}/{alpha}=+1.3+/-2.4stat +/-1.0sys ppm is not inconsistent with this expectation.
We present an accurate analysis of the H2 absorption lines from the zabs ~ 2.4018 damped Ly{alpha} system towards HE 0027-1836 observed with the Very Large Telescope Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (VLT/UVES) as a part of the European Sou
Large statistical samples of quasar spectra have previously indicated possible cosmological variations in the fine-structure constant, $alpha$. A smaller sample of higher signal-to-noise ratio spectra, with dedicated calibration, would allow a detail
We describe the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) and its efforts to directly detect and study gravitational waves and other synergistic physics and astrophysics using radio timing observations of millisecond pulsars.
The See Change survey was designed to make $z>1$ cosmological measurements by efficiently discovering high-redshift Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) and improving cluster mass measurements through weak lensing. This survey observed twelve galaxy clusters
We summarize the attempts by our group and others to derive constraints on variations of fundamental constants over cosmic time using quasar absorption lines. Most upper limits reside in the range 0.5-1.5x10-5 at the 3sigma level over a redshift rang