Computer Science
Scientific paper
Sep 2004
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004sptz.prop.3649c&link_type=abstract
Spitzer Proposal ID #3649
Computer Science
Scientific paper
We propose to obtain IRAC and MIPS images for 15 early-type galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. Combining the data with existing Spitzer GTO/Legacy observations for seven additional galaxies will give a magnitude-limited sample of 21 early-type galaxies in Virgo. All 21 galaxies are part of our deep, high-resolution (0.1 arcsec), multi-band HST/ACS imaging survey of early-type galaxies; high S/N ground-based optical spectra are also in hand for each galaxy. The combination of ground-based spectroscopy, optical imaging from HST and infrared imaging from Spitzer will provide the most complete dataset ever assembled for the study of dust in a large and unbiased sample of early-type galaxies. In particular: (1) the Spitzer/MIPS images will provide the definitive study of the incidence of dust in these galaxies, and the measurement of dust masses down to 250 solar masses, a hundred-fold improvement compared to IRAS; (2) The multi-band IRAC and MIPS data will allow us to determine the contribution of stars and dust to the observed flux, leading to an unambiguous determination of the dust temperature compared to previous studies; (3) The dust mass determined from MIPS observations will be compared to the mass required to account for the extinction seen in our optical HST/ACS images. The high resolution of Spitzer/MIPS will allow us to spatially resolve the dust emission if this follows the stellar density, with obvious implications regarding the origin of dust in early-type galaxies; (4) the total gravitational mass derived from our optical ground-based spectra will be used to determine the empirical ratio of dust to gravitating mass. The unprecedented depth, sensitivity, and spatial resolution of the Spitzer data, the unrivaled clarity of the HST images, and the complete kinematical coverage of the ground-based spectra will enable the most detailed view yet of dust in early-type environments.
Blakeslee John
Cote' Patrick
Ferrarese Laura
Jord'an Andrés
Peng Eric
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