Computer Science
Scientific paper
Jun 2005
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005sptz.prop20289c&link_type=abstract
Spitzer Proposal ID #20289
Computer Science
Scientific paper
The recent discovery by GALEX of extensive UV emission in the extreme outskirts of local star-forming galaxies may challenge our current understanding of star formation, of the modality for polluting the intergalactic medium, and of the long-term impact of interactions. Further, the nature outer disk UV light is not settled yet, as UV photons from the galaxy disk scattered by dust in the outskirts may contribute to the observed radiation. Spitzer, with its wavelength windows sensitive to both the low mass stars and the dust emission, has a unique capability to address some of these fundamental questions. We propose IRAC mapping of 2 regions in the extreme outer disk (>2 R_{opt}) of the nearby star-forming spiral M83 to: (1) investigate whether a fraction of the UV light in those regions is due to dust scattering, and, via models, obtain a census of the UV photons from the galaxy that are scattered and absorbed outside the optically-bright disk; (2) derive masses and star formation rates for the UV-bright knots associated with stellar populations, to obtain a census of the current to past star formation and compare the observed mass distribution with that of disk clusters; (3) constrain the presence and mass of star formation older than 100-300 Myr, which may provide a link to the past interaction of M83 with its companion. M83 is a prototype testbed for such study because of its relative proximity, high star formation rate, presence of an H-alpha edge, and large number of detected outer disk UV-bright knots. With a modest committment of time, Spitzer will provide the first milestone for unraveling the properties of the boundaries between galaxies and the intergalactic medium.
Bianchi Luciana
Calzetti Daniela
Meurer Gerhardt
Regan Michael
Thilker David
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