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IR Compendium: Background: Extragalactic Science


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M33 at Many Wavelengths

X-ray
Chandra observes in this regime
wavelength of light ~ 2 nm
temperature of emitting matter ~ 1,500,000 K
By studying galaxies in this regime, we see black hole accretion disks
Ultraviolet (UV)
HST and GALEX observe in this regime
wavelength of light ~ 200 nm
temperature of emitting matter ~ 14,500 K
By studying galaxies in this regime, we see hot young stars
Visible
HST observes in this regime
wavelength of light ~ 500 nm
temperature of emitting matter ~ 5800 K
By studying galaxies in this regime, we see run-of-the-mill stars (all ages)
Near-infrared (Near-IR)
2MASS, NICMOS, and Spitzer observe in this regime
wavelength of light ~ 1600 nm
temperature of emitting matter ~ 1800 K
By studying galaxies in this regime, we see very cool stars (usually old)
Far-infrared (Far-IR)
IRAS observed (and Spitzer observes) in this regime
wavelength of light ~ 100,000 nm
temperature of emitting matter ~ 29 K
By studying galaxies in this regime, we see cool dust, which is heated by hot stars

(To roughly translate between wavelength and temperature of the emitting matter, recall Wien's Law: max wavelength in nm = 2.9x10^6/Temperature in K. Technically this only works for thermal radiation, and x-rays in particular may be emitted via non-thermal mechanisms.)

For additional information, see these sites:

Adapted from Marcia Rieke's talk at the Seattle AAS, January 2003


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