******************************************************
   PR # 42160
   We propose to observe two low z damped Lyman alpha absorption systems
   with ASCA, those toward 3C446 and PKS1451-375. Damped Lyman alpha
   systems are strong candidates for protogalaxies, and so the new
   constraints supplied by X-ray observations will be important for
   galaxy formation models. Absorption of the background quasar X-ray
   emission will measure their heavy element abundances, and limit their
   ionization state, and hence size.
  ******************************************************