Spitzer Space Telescope - General Observer Proposal #30510


NeV and OIV in Wolf-Rayet Galaxies

Principal Investigator: Daniel Devost
           Institution: Cornell University

Co-Investigators: 
Claus Leitherer, Space Telescope Science Institute                    
David Whelan, Cornell University                                      
Lei Hao, Cornell University                                           

Science Category: starburst galaxies 
 Observing Modes: IrsStare 
  Hours Approved: 39.3 

Abstract:
We propose to investigate the occurrence of the highly excited OIV and
NeV lines in a small but well-defined sample of Wolf-Rayet (W-R)
galaxies selected from their optical emission lines, starburst size,
and abundances.  Our observations will help shed more light on the
long standing question of the excitation mechanism of OIV in star
forming regions.  At the same time, we will be able to perform
quantitative tests of models predicting the strength of NeV emission
in regions solely powered by stars.