Spitzer Space Telescope - Guaranteed Time Observer Proposal #40358


MIPS 24 micron photometry of high-redshift 4C radio sources

Principal Investigator: Giovanni  Fazio
           Institution: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

     Technical Contact: Steven Willner, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Co-Investigators: 
Martin Haas, Astronomisches Institut, Bochum, Germany                 
Belinda Wilkes, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics           
Jiasheng Huang, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics           
Mark Lacy, Spitzer Science Center                                     
Daniel Stern, Jet Propulsion Lab                                      
Gillian Wilson, Spitzer Science Center                                

Science Category: AGN/quasars/radio galaxies 
 Observing Modes: MipsPhot 
  Hours Approved: 2.0 

Abstract:
We propose MIPS 24 micron photometry of 4C radio sources at high redshift (1.5 <
z < 3.5). This redshift range exceeds that covered by the 3CR sources. The
combination of 3CR and 4C samples will permit us to study the most powerful
radio sources over the full redshift range encompassing the cosmic epoch, where
the star formation activity peaks. The sample is largely complete consisting of
radio galaxies and both extended and compact steep-spectrum quasars. The sources
are selected by their isotropic 178 MHz emission from the radio lobes making the
sample suitable for testing the unified scheme and for separating
orientation-dependent effects from both lobe and starburst evolution. We plan to
complement our Spitzer 24 micron photometry with sensitive Herschel observations
at 70-490 micron. The combination of Spitzer and Herschel data will permit us to
explore the entire rest frame Mid- to Far-IR SEDs and to assess the AGN and star
forming luminosity output during this early active phase of the universe.