Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2006-08-28
Astrophys.J.650:L45-L49,2006
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
ApJL in press; 13 pages including 3 figures. Figure 1 is low-resolution; high-resolution color pictures available at http://
Scientific paper
10.1086/508626
Mid-infrared observations of the Andromeda galaxy, M31, obtained with the Infrared Array Camera on board the Spitzer Space Telescope, are presented. The image mosaics cover areas of approximate 3.7deg x 1.6deg and include the satellite galaxies M32 and NGC 205. The appearance of M31 varies dramatically in the different mid-infrared bands, from the smooth bulge and disk of the old stellar population seen at 3.6um to the well-known '10 kpc ring' dominating the 8um image. The similarity of the 3.6um and optical isophotes and nearly constant optical-mid-infrared color over the inner 400 arcsec confirms that there is no significant extinction at optical wavelengths in M31's bulge. The nuclear colors indicate the presence of dust but not an infrared-bright nucleus. The integrated 8um non-stellar luminosity implies a star formation rate of 0.4 Msun/yr, consistent with other indicators that show M31 to be a quiescent galaxy.
Ashby Matt L. N.
Barmby Pauline
Bianchi Luciana
Engelbracht Chad W.
Gehrz Robert D.
No associations
LandOfFree
Dusty waves on a starry sea: the mid-infrared view of M31 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Dusty waves on a starry sea: the mid-infrared view of M31, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dusty waves on a starry sea: the mid-infrared view of M31 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-106695