Journal article
Infrared spectral energy distributions of nearby galaxies
The Astrophysical journal, Vol.633(2), pp.857-870
11/10/2005
DOI: 10.1086/491642
Abstract
The Spitzer Infrared Nearby Galaxies Survey (SINGS) is carrying out a comprehensive multiwavelength survey on a sample of 75 nearby galaxies. The 1-850 μm spectral energy distributions (SEDs) are presented using broadband imaging data from Spitzer, 2MASS, ISO, IRAS, and SCUBA. The infrared colors derived from the globally integrated Spitzer data are generally consistent with the previous generation of models that were developed using global data for normal star-forming galaxies, although significant deviations are observed. Spitzer's excellent sensitivity and resolution also allow a detailed investigation of the infrared SEDs for various locations within the three large, nearby galaxies NGC 3031 (M81), NGC 5194 (M51), and NGC 7331. A wide variety of spectral shapes is found within each galaxy, especially for NGC 3031, the closest of the three targets and thus the galaxy for which the smallest spatial scales can be explored. Strong correlations exist between the local star formation rate and the infrared colors fν(70 μm)/fν(160 μm) and fν(24 μm)/fν(160 μm), suggesting that the 24 and 70 μm emission are useful tracers of the local star formation activity level. Preliminary evidence indicates that variations in the 24 μm emission, and not variations in the emission from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at 8 μm, drive the variations in the fν(8.0 μm)/fν(24 μm) colors within NGC 3031, NGC 5194, and NGC 7331. If the galaxy-to-galaxy variations in SEDs seen in our sample are representative of the range present at high redshift, then extrapolations of total infrared luminosities and star formation rates from the observed 24 μm flux will be uncertain at the factor of 5 level (total range). The corresponding uncertainties using the redshifted 8.0 μm flux (e.g., observed 24 μm flux for a z = 2 source) are factors of 10-20. Considerable caution should be used when interpreting such extrapolated infrared luminosities
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Infrared spectral energy distributions of nearby galaxies
- Creators
- D. A Dale - University of WyomingG. J Bendo - University of ArizonaR. D Joseph - Institute for Astronomy, 2680 Woodlawn Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822, United StatesR. C Kennicutt - University of ArizonaA LI - University of MissouriE. J Murphy - Yale UniversityH Roussel - California Institute of TechnologyF Walter - Max Planck Institute for AstronomyH. M Hanson - University of WyomingD. J Hollenbach - Ames Research CenterT. H Jarrett - California Institute of TechnologyL. J Kewley - Institute for Astronomy, 2680 Woodlawn Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822, United StatesC. W Engelbracht - University of ArizonaC. A Lamanna - University of WyomingC Leitherer - Space Telescope Science InstituteM. J Meyer - Space Telescope Science InstituteG. H Rieke - University of ArizonaM. J Rieke - University of ArizonaK Sheth - California Institute of TechnologyJ. D. T Smith - University of ArizonaM. D Thdrnley - Bucknell UniversityK. D Gordon - University of ArizonaM. W Regan - Space Telescope Science InstituteL Armus - California Institute of TechnologyJ. M Cannon - Max Planck Institute for AstronomyD Calzetti - Space Telescope Science InstituteB. T Draine - Princeton UniversityG Helou - California Institute of Technology
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Astrophysical journal, Vol.633(2), pp.857-870
- Publisher
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI
- 10.1086/491642
- ISSN
- 0004-637X
- eISSN
- 1538-4357
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/10/2005
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984627349802771
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