Spitzer Space Telescope - Directors Discretionary Time Proposal #98


First Look Survey - Ecliptic Plane Component

Principal Investigator: Tom Soifer
           Institution: Spitzer Science Center

Science Category: asteroids 
 Observing Modes: IracMap MipsScan 
  Hours Approved: 14.3 

Abstract:
This survey of two fields of 0.13 square degrees at ecliptic latitudes
of 0  and 5 degrees characterizes the population of moving objects at
8 and 24um, and explores the smaller members of the asteroid
population at diameters less than 1 km.  These observations were
designed to target asteroids in the main belt region between 2 and 4
AU, to determine number counts and ecliptic plane scale heights.  This
survey will also provide preliminary information on the zodiacal light
as a function of distance from the ecliptic plane.