A Deep-Wide Far-Infrared Survey of Cosmological Star Formation and AGN Activity
Abstract
Spitzer is creating a vast legacy of 24 micron imaging, with hundreds of thousands of sources detected at cosmological distances. In principle, 24 micron data are the most sensitive probe of dust-enshrouded star formation and distant active galactic nuclei. In practice, at z > 1, they sample mid-infrared wavelengths complex in structure (PAH emission and silicate absorption) and physics (PAH excitation, metallicity dependence, extinction, warm dust and hidden AGN). Other data are needed to understand MIR emission, to calibrate its relation to star formation, to establish its dependence on other galaxy properties, to measure how many atypical objects there are, and to learn how to account for them in conclusions drawn from deep surveys. We propose a program of very deep MIPS imaging geared toward 70 micron detection of 1000 "normal" IR-luminous galaxies at 0.5 < z < 2.5 at wavelengths which trace thermal dust emission which more directly correlates with physical properties of interest such as star formation rates. We will survey 2200 square arcmin in three premier deep survey fields using far-infrared, radio and submillimeter data to measure bolometric luminosities, dust temperatures and masses, to quantify the population of Compton-obscured AGN, and to calibrate the use of 24 micron data for studying high redshift galaxy evolution.
- Publication:
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Spitzer Proposal
- Pub Date:
- May 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006sptz.prop30948D