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What this is: The IR Compendium is primarily a catalog of selected archetypal objects and their expected fluxes in the infrared. If you are a professional astronomer who is new to infrared astronomy, and you want to know why the infrared is interesting and useful, then this is a good place to start.

We have collected some basic information about the properties of extragalactic, galactic, and Solar System objects in the infrared, and especially in the wavelength range to which Spitzer is sensitive. In addition, for each archetypal object in the IR compendium, we have culled the 2MASS, ISO, IRAS, and MSX archives to examine any IR observations that have been made for that object. We have provided a summary of the infrared fluxes and characteristics of these objects, as well as links to relevant research papers.

This is a WORK IN PROGRESS which will be updated as often as possible.

What this is not: The IR Compendium is not meant to be a complete archive of data and papers for these objects, nor is it meant to be a complete list of all research projects that can be accomplished in the IR for every kind of object. The IR Compendium is a starting point for the study of astronomical objects in the infrared.

Do you have a suggestion for an object, an image, or a research paper that should be listed? Do you already have a full example prepared for a proposal, your class, or a science talk? Email us!

General Information and Overview Four things that might surprise you about IR astronomy and Spitzer: Resolution, Diffraction, Confusion, and (IR) Background Comparison of Spitzer to other IR missions Solar System Science Overview Galactic Science Overview Extragalactic Science Overview Also see brief summary of M33 at many wavelengths Overview of the Spitzer Observatory, from the SSC site. Units of IR astronomy Links with information on IR Astronomy Basics Useful resources for interpreting data linked in here

Complete index of example objects This page contains sample extragalactic, galactic and solar system objects. The data displayed includes Digital Sky Survey, 2MASS, MSX, ISO imaging and spectroscopy, and Spitzer data, as well as selected references in astronomical literature using infrared data.   Acknowledgments