Using Spitzer to Probe Galaxy Evolution in the Young Cluster Abell 1367
Abstract
The galaxy cluster environment alters the properties of galaxies. However, the mechanisms and timescales that govern these changes are not well understood. We propose to use Spitzer (IRAC + MIPS 24um) in combination with existing UV, Halpha, and 21cm data, to study both the mechanisms and timescales in the Abell 1367 cluster. The cluster is young so there is a large sample of galaxies that are currently being transformed from blue, gas-rich systems to red stellar dominated ones. The sample we will use for this work is unique -- we will study both galaxies selected at 21 cm and in the optical. The 21cm selected systems in Abell 1367 have been found to be distributed fairly uniformly throughout the cluster while the optically-selected galaxies are strongly centrally concentrated. This is the first time that HI-selected galaxies in a cluster are being studied alongside an optically selected sample and they should provide an important probe of the galaxies for which the cluster may just be starting to have an effect as well as for the ones that have already been strongly altered by its influence. Spitzer provides important information to this study because it can be used to measure activity in galaxies over a longer timescale than the H_alpha measurements. In addition, the Spitzer data complement the UV data by probing the dusty regions of the galaxies.
- Publication:
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Spitzer Proposal
- Pub Date:
- March 2008
- Bibcode:
- 2008sptz.prop50520R