High Resolution Imaging of the Galactic Center with Spitzer/IRAC

Details High Resolution Imaging of the Galactic Center with Spitzer/IRAC High Resolution Imaging of the Galactic Center with Spitzer/IRAC

Sep 2004

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004sptz.prop.3677s&link_type=abstract

Spitzer Proposal ID #3677

Computer Science

Scientific paper

The Spitzer Space Telescope provides an unprecedented opportunity to observe the Galactic Center with spatial coverage, resolution and sensitivity which have not yet been achieved in the mid-infrared. We propose to map the central 2 x 1.5 degrees of the Galaxy (corresponding to 280 x 200 pc) with IRAC. These observations will allow us to investigate features in the diffuse interstellar medium of the Galactic Center ranging in scale from hundreds of pc to less than 0.1 pc. These features include large 'lobes' protruding from the Galactic plane, non-thermal filaments, thermal filaments, supernova remnants and HII regions, some of which may trace past AGN-like activity. The morphology and distribution of PAH emission will be imaged at 2'' resolution for the first time with high signal/noise. The acquisition of high resolution mid-IR data will complement existing high resolution data for this region in radio, near-infrared and X-ray wavelengths and will provide a probe of interactions and phenomena at a wide range of energies. In addition, a variety of point sources and compact objects will be observed, taking advantage of the IRAC wavelengths to probe regions too highly obscured to observe with ground based optical or near infrared telescopes. We will acquire a sample of AGB and OH/IR stars, detectable even in highly obscured regions, as well as high mass protostars and ultracompact HII regions, probing both ends of the stellar evolution process and mapping galactic structure. We will also have the ability to detect obscured clusters not visible in the near infrared.

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