THE A2667 GIANT ARC AT z=1.03: EVIDENCE FOR LARGE-SCALE SHOCKS AT HIGH REDSHIFT

We present the spatially resolved emission line ratio properties of a similar to 10(10) M-circle dot star-forming galaxy at redshift z = 1.03. This galaxy is gravitationally lensed as a triple-image giant arc behind the massive lensing cluster A2667. The main image of the galaxy has magnification factors of 14 +/- 2.1 in flux and similar to 2 x 7 in area, yielding an intrinsic spatial resolution of 115-405 pc after adaptive optics correction with OSIRIS at KECK II. The Hubble Space Telescope morphology shows a clumpy structure and the H alpha kinematics indicates a large velocity dispersion with V(max)sin(i)/sigma similar to 0.73, consistent with high-redshift disk galaxies of similar masses. From the [N II]/H alpha line ratios, we find that the central 350 pc of the galaxy is dominated by star formation. The [N II]/H alpha line ratios are higher in the outer disk than in the central regions. Most noticeably, we find a blueshifted region of strong [N II]/H alpha emission in the outer disk. Applying our recent H II region and slow-shock models, we propose that this elevated [N II]/H alpha ratio region is contaminated by a significant fraction of shock excitation due to galactic outflows. Our analysis suggests that shocked regions may mimic flat or inverted metallicity gradients at high redshift.