Other
Scientific paper
May 2007
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007sptz.prop40118n&link_type=abstract
Spitzer Proposal ID #40118
Other
Scientific paper
We propose to obtain sensitive wide-field MIR and FIR images of the central part of the M81 galaxy group, particularly of the tidal streams surrounding and connecting the four most massive members of the group (M81, M82, NGC3077 and NGC 2976). These observations will be compared with existing or planned observations at other wavelenths, and will be used to explore the recent star formation activity, associated radiation field, and details of the galaxy transformation processes throughout the group. We will use IRAC and MIPS to obtain images of the emission from PAHs and warm dust as well as from any old stars present in the tidal streams between the galaxies. Our observations should be sufficiently sensitive to detect star formation activity expected from a few times 10^20 cm^-2 HI column density, and will cover most of the 3degree diameter region imaged in 21cm HI. By combining the Spitzer images with our imaging data from ultraviolet (GALEX), optical/NIR (SDSS, 2MASS, Ha survey), CO (FCRAO), and HI (VLA, GBT, DRAO) surveys, we will be able to conduct an extensive, quantitative analysis of the spatial distribution of and relationships between 1) the total star formation present in the streams (both hidden and directly visible), 2) *all* of the cold gas and dust, 3) the ionizing radiation field, 4) the galaxies' interaction history including formation of tidal dwarf galaxies, and 5) the recent star formation chronology in the streams. Spitzer data is crucial to this analysis because it provides information on obscured star formation and dust that is otherwise unavailable. The high quality of extant data, as well as dynamical models of the interactions, make the M81 group an exceptional laboratory for exploring star formation processes outside of galaxy disks. The M81 group is one of the few systems where this sort of analysis can be made with spatial resolution better than 100pc.
Chiappini Christina
Cox Thomas
Ho Paul~T. P.
Kennicutt Rob
Neff Susan
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