Spitzer Space Telescope - General Observer Proposal #20542


Selecting dusty starburst galaxies at z=1.5 using a silicate
absorption feature

Principal Investigator: Colin Borys
           Institution: Caltech

Co-Investigators: 
Duncan Farrah, Infrared Processing and Analysis Center                
Philip Choi, Spitzer Science Center                                   
Dave Frayer, Spitzer Science Center                                   

Science Category: starburst galaxies 
 Observing Modes: IrsStare 
  Hours Approved: 18.4 

Abstract:
We propose Spitzer IRS spectroscopy of a sample of 15 high redshift
dusty starburst galaxies.  The sample, drawn from the SWIRE and FLS
surveys, is based on a silicate absorption feature at 9.7 microns
being redshifted into the MIPS 24 micron band.  Thus, the objects
should all be around a redshift of z=1.5.  This is a traditionally
difficult epoch to obtain optical spectra of galaxies, and is known as
the "redshift desert".  Our proposed observations will validate the
selection technique and, if successful, allow us to draw samples of
hundreds of z=1.5 dusty starburst galaxies contained in the rich
spitzer Legacy data sets.