Computer Science
Scientific paper
May 2007
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007sptz.prop40810b&link_type=abstract
Spitzer Proposal ID #40810
Computer Science
Scientific paper
We developed a stellar population age diagnostic from mid-IR spectra, because as a population ages, the 10um silicate excess from stellar mass loss decreases relative to the shorter wavelength continuum. Our IRS program showed that all 29 nearby ellipticals are old systems (10 Gyr), but our ages are in conflict with the optical absorption line age determinations, which show a sizeable fraction of these same galaxies to have ages of only 2-6 Gyr. Either result has important implications for galaxy formation scenarios. However, one of these age-dating schemes is seriously flawed, so here we test the mid-IR method to determine if it is capable of correctly identifying an early-type galaxy with a known young stellar component. We propose to observe a handful of the nearest E+A galaxies, systems that had a major starburst during the past Gyr, but with no current star formation. Not only will this provide a critical test of our age-dating scheme, it will be the first mid-IR spectra of this important class of galaxies.
Bregman Jesse
Bregman Joel
Temi Pasquale
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