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Extragalactic abstracts - IRSA - California Institute of Technology

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Spitzer_Approved_<strong>Extragalactic</strong><br />

Mar 25, 10 16:24 Page 647/742<br />

Spitzer Space Telescope − General Observer Proposal #20375<br />

Of Starbursts and Monsters: An IRS High−resolution Spectroscopic Study <strong>of</strong><br />

Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies<br />

Principal Investigator: Lee Armus<br />

Institution: IPAC<br />

Technical Contact: Lee Armus, Spitzer Science Center<br />

Co−Investigators:<br />

Vassilis Charmandaris, University <strong>of</strong> Crete<br />

Vandana Desai, Caltech<br />

Henrik Spoon, Cornell University<br />

Lei Hao, Cornell University<br />

Berhard Brandl, Leiden University<br />

Jeronimo Bernard−Salas, Cornell University<br />

Science Category: ULIRGS/LIRGS/HLIRGS<br />

Observing Modes: IrsStare<br />

Hours Approved: 23.6<br />

Abstract:<br />

Ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) generate the power output <strong>of</strong> quasars,<br />

but nearly all <strong>of</strong> this energy emerges in the mid and far−infrared part <strong>of</strong> the<br />

spectrum. While rare at low−redshift, ULIRGs are resposible for the strong<br />

evolution in the mid−IR number counts to z~1, and may dominate the star<br />

formation rate density and far−infrared background at z~2−3. The GTO ULIRG<br />

program is observing a sample <strong>of</strong> 110 ULIRGs in the local universe with the IRS.<br />

Less than half <strong>of</strong> these have observations with the high−resolution IRS modules.<br />

We propose to observe a sample <strong>of</strong> 34 ULIRGs from this program in SH and/or LH in<br />

order to search for unambiguous pro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> buried AGN (via the [NeV] emission<br />

line), as well as characterize the warm molecular gas content, the small grain<br />

characterisitics and the starburst mass functions, via the H2, PAH, and [NeII],<br />

[NeIII], [OIV], [SIV], and [SIII] line flux ratios in the SH and LH IRS spectra.<br />

These observations will double the number <strong>of</strong> ULIRGs will high quality,<br />

high−resolution IRS spectra in the archive, and significantly increase the<br />

number <strong>of</strong> ULIRGs observed at z > 0.3, where most <strong>of</strong> the evolution in the counts<br />

<strong>of</strong> IR−bright galaxies is occuring.<br />

Spitzer_Approved_<strong>Extragalactic</strong><br />

Printed_by_SSC<br />

Mar 25, 10 16:24 Page 648/742<br />

Spitzer Space Telescope − Legacy General Observer Proposal #30323<br />

A Spitzer Spectroscopic Survey <strong>of</strong> a Complete Sample <strong>of</strong> Luminous Infrared<br />

Galaxies in the Local Universe<br />

Principal Investigator: Lee Armus<br />

Institution: IPAC<br />

Technical Contact: Lee Armus, Spitzer Science Center<br />

Co−Investigators:<br />

Phil Appleton, SSC<br />

Ben Chan, IPAC<br />

Vassilis Charmandaris, University <strong>of</strong> Crete<br />

Aaron Evans, Stony Broook<br />

David Frayer, SSC<br />

Justin Howell, IPAC<br />

Lisa Kewley, University <strong>of</strong> Hawaii<br />

Steve Lord, IPAC<br />

Jason Marshall, Cornell University<br />

Joseph Mazzarella, IPAC<br />

David Sanders, University <strong>of</strong> Hawaii<br />

Shobita Satyapal, George Mason University<br />

Henrik Spoon, Cornell University<br />

Eckhard Sturm, MPE<br />

Jason Surace, SSC<br />

Sylvain Veilleux, University <strong>of</strong> Maryland<br />

Science Category: ULIRGS/LIRGS/HLIRGS<br />

Observing Modes: IrsStare<br />

Hours Approved: 160.0<br />

Abstract:<br />

The IRAS Revised Bright Galaxy Sample (RBGS) is a complete sample <strong>of</strong><br />

extragalactic objects with IRAS 60−micron flux densities above 5.24 Jy, covering<br />

the full sky above abs(b) > 5 degrees. The RBGS objects are the brightest<br />

60−micron sources in the extragalactic sky. The 21 ULIRGs and 182 LIRGs in the<br />

RBGS form a complete sample <strong>of</strong> 203 infrared luminous, local galaxies which are<br />

excellent analogs for comparisons with infrared and sub−mm selected galaxies at<br />

high redshift. We propose to obtain IRS low and high−resolution spectra <strong>of</strong> 158<br />

LIRGs in the RBGS which, when taken to gether with the existing or planned GO<br />

and GTO observations <strong>of</strong> the remaining LIRGs and ULIRGs in the RBGS, will provide<br />

an unprecedented spectroscopic database <strong>of</strong> a complete sample <strong>of</strong> luminous<br />

infrared galaxies in the local Universe. The total requested time for this<br />

program, including all overheads, is 160 hrs. The primary goals <strong>of</strong> this proposal<br />

are to use the low and high−resolution IRS spectra to (1) search for buried AGN<br />

and determine their contribution to the bolometric luminosity, (2) determine the<br />

star−formation rates and ages, (3) characterize the state <strong>of</strong> the ionized and<br />

molecular gas, and (4) study the properties <strong>of</strong> the small and large dust grains<br />

and determine if all <strong>of</strong> these properties are a function <strong>of</strong> luminosity and/or<br />

merger stage. By observing a large sample <strong>of</strong> LIRGs with the IRS, we can build a<br />

unique spectral library that will be invaluable long after the helium on Spitzer<br />

runs out. This library will be an essential tool for understanding the galactic<br />

merger process, and the genesis <strong>of</strong> the bulk <strong>of</strong> the infrared activity at all<br />

epochs. The IRS spectra will stand on their own merits, however, when coupled<br />

with the IRAC and MIPS images, the ground−based near−infrared data, and the HST<br />

ACS and GALEX images, the spectra we request here will form a critical component<br />

<strong>of</strong> a comprehensive, multi−wavelength dataset that will serve as a lasting<br />

resource in the true spirit <strong>of</strong> the Spitzer Legacy program.<br />

Thursday March 25, 2010 xgal_covers.txt<br />

324/371

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