Spitzer Space Telescope - Legacy General Observer Proposal #20597


MIPSGAL :  A 24 and 70  Micron Survey of the Inner Galactic Disk with
MIPS

Principal Investigator: Sean Carey
           Institution: SSC

Co-Investigators: 
Alberto Noriega-Crespo, Spitzer Science Center                        
Stephan Price, Air Force Research Labortory                           
Deborah Padgett, Spitzer Science Center                               
Babar Ali, IPAC                                                       
Bruce Berriman, IPAC                                                  
Francois Boulanger, IAS-Universite Paris-Sud                          
Roc Cutri, IPAC                                                       
Remy Indebetouw, University of Virginia                               
Jim Ingalls, Spitzer Science Center                                   
Thomas Kuchar, Boston College                                         
Kathleen Kraemer, Air Force Research Laboratory                       
Bill Latter, IPAC                                                     
Francine Marleau, Spitzer Science Center                              
Don Mizuno, Boston College                                            
Marc-Antoine Miville-Deschenes, CITA/University of Toronto            
Sergio Molinari, Istituto Fisica Spazio Interplanetario-CNR           
Luisa Rebull, Spitzer Science Center                                  
Leonardo Testi, Arcetri Observatory                                   

Science Category: galactic structure 
 Observing Modes: MipsScan 
  Hours Approved: 417.0 

Abstract:
We propose a 220  square degree survey of the inner Galactic plane, 65
< l < 10  and -10  < l < -65 for abs(b) < 1, at 24 and 70  microns
with MIPS.  Our survey complements existing (GLIMPSE) and proposed
(Hi-Gal) surveys of the Galactic plane and has signifcantly better
resolution and sensitivity than previous infrared surveys covering
plane.  Over 75% of the survey area should have useful data at 70
microns, while >99% of the plane is expected to be unsaturated at 24
microns.  The survey data will be used to examine the early phases of
high mass star formation, complete the census of star formation in the
inner Galactic disk and provide a snapshot of the current Galactic
star formation rate, measure the distribution and heating of very
small grains in the ISM and most importantly enable research by the
astronomical community.  To that end, we waive proprietary rights to
the data and plan to make available enhanced data products including a
high quality point source catalog, image mosaics and to faciliate the
study of extended emission, large format and source subtracted
mosaics.