A mid-infrared survey of the inner 2 × 1.5 degrees of the Galaxy with Spitzer/IRAC

We present a survey of Spitzer Space Telescope/IRAC observations of the central 2 × 1.5 degrees (265 × 200 pc) of the Galaxy at 3-8 μm. These data represent the highest spatial resolution and sensitivity large-scale map made to date of the Galactic Center (GC) at mid-infrared wavelengths. The IRAC d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of physics. Conference series Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 176 - 182
Main Authors Stolovy, S, Ramirez, S, Arendt, R G, Cotera, A, Yusef-Zadeh, F, Law, C, Gezari, D, Sellgren, K, Karr, J, Moseley, H, Smith, H A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Bristol IOP Publishing 01.12.2006
Subjects
Emission
Filaments
Galaxies
Infrared astronomy
Interstellar matter
Morphology
Physics
Radio astronomy
Space telescopes
Spatial resolution
Star formation
Wavelengths
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Summary:We present a survey of Spitzer Space Telescope/IRAC observations of the central 2 × 1.5 degrees (265 × 200 pc) of the Galaxy at 3-8 μm. These data represent the highest spatial resolution and sensitivity large-scale map made to date of the Galactic Center (GC) at mid-infrared wavelengths. The IRAC data provide a census of the optically obscured stellar sources as well as a detailed map of the highly flamentary structure in the interstellar medium. The diffuse emission is dominated by PAH emission from small grains in star-forming regions. Dark clouds displaying a large variety of sizes and morphologies are imaged, many of which remain opaque at IRAC wavelengths. Using a multiwavelength comparison, we determine which objects are likely to be in the foreground and which are located at the GC. We find no counterparts at IRAC wavelengths to the unique system of linear, nonthermal radio filaments present at the GC.
ISSN:1742-6596
1742-6588
1742-6596
DOI:10.1088/1742-6596/54/1/030