The Absorbers toward CSO 118: Superclustering at [CLC][ITAL]z[/ITAL][/CLC] ∼ 3, or an Intrinsic Absorption Complex?

We present two low-resolution ( R ~ 1300) high signal-to-noise ratio spectra ( W r , lim ≈ 50 mÅ) of the quasar CSO 118 ( z em = 2.97) taken with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Marcario Low-Resolution Spectrograph. We detect eight absorbers selected by the C IV λλ1548, 1550 absorption doublet in the redshift range 2.23 ≲ z abs ≲ 2.97, seven of which are z abs ≳ 2.68. In the redshift range covered by the seven z abs ≳ 2.68 systems, one expects to find two absorbers. We discuss possible explanations for such an excess of absorbers in a small velocity range. Only superclustering at high redshift and absorption due to intrinsic gas are feasibly allowed.