The Nature of the Halos and Thick Disks of Spiral Galaxies

Details The Nature of the Halos and Thick Disks of Spiral Galaxies The Nature of the Halos and Thick Disks of Spiral Galaxies

Jul 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006hst..prop10889d&link_type=abstract

HST Proposal ID #10889. Cycle 15

Computer Science

Scientific paper

We propose to resolve the extra-planar stellar populations of the thick disks and halos of seven nearby, massive, edge-on galaxies using ACS, NICMOS, and WFPC2 in parallel. These observations will provide accurate star counts and color-magnitude diagrams 1.5 magnitudes below the tip of the Red Giant Branch sampled along the two principal axes and one intermediate axis of each galaxy. We will measure the metallicity distribution functions and stellar density profiles from star counts down to very low average surface brightnesses, equivalent to ~32 V-mag per square arcsec. These observations will provide the definitive HST study of extra-planar stellar populations of spiral galaxies. Our targets cover a range in galaxy mass, luminosity, and morphology and as function of these galaxy properties we will provide: - The first systematic study of the radial and isophotal shapes of the diffuse stellar halos of spiral galaxies - The most detailed comparative study to date of thick disk morphologies and stellar populations - A comprehensive analysis of halo and thick disk metallicity distributions as a function of galaxy type and position within the galaxy. - A sensitive search for tidal streams - The first opportunity to directly relate globular cluster systems to their field stellar population We will use these fossil records of the galaxy assembly process preserved in the old stellar populations to test halo and thick disk formation models within the hierarchical galaxy formation scheme. We will test LambdaCDM predictions on sub-galactic scales, where it is difficult to test using CMB and galaxy redshift surveys, and where it faces its most serious difficulties.

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