Extragalactic abstracts - IRSA - California Institute of Technology
Extragalactic abstracts - IRSA - California Institute of Technology
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 />
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