Spitzer Space Telescope - General Observer Proposal #50234


MIPS Spectral Energy Distribution Observations of M82

Principal Investigator: Chad Engelbracht
           Institution: The University of Arizona

     Technical Contact: Chad Engelbracht, The University of Arizona

Co-Investigators: 
Lee Armus, Spitzer Science Center                                     
Caroline Bot, California Institute of Technology                      
Daniela Calzetti, University of Massachusetts                         
Daniel Dale, University of Wyoming                                    
Bruce Draine, Princeton University                                    
George Helou, Spitzer Science Center                                  
Robert Kennicutt, University of Cambridge                             

Science Category: nearby galaxies (z<0.05, v_sys<15,000 km/s) 
 Observing Modes: MipsSed 
  Hours Approved: 1.6 

Abstract:
We propose to obtain new MIPS Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) observations
towards the nucleus of the starburst galaxy M82. M82 is a dwarf galaxy in the
M81 group hosting a strong burst of star formation in its center. It is also the
closest IR-bright starburst to our own Galaxy, and its proximity enables the
detailed investigation of the dust emission even with MIPS-SED. We will join our
data with existing IRS and other datasets to provide the most comprehensive
investigation of the dust emission in this starburst, and its relation to the
stellar populations that heat it. M82 is the template IR-bright starburst and a
benchmark for distant galaxies studies. We will obtain a small mapping
observation that is designed like the existing mapping observations made by the
Spitzer Infrared Nearby Galaxies Survey (SINGS). Our proposed mapping
observation requires only 1.6 hours of time. The galaxy M82 is nearby and very
bright, but is the only galaxy in SINGS for which no nuclear map was obtained.
Using the data we propose to obtain, we will generate a product similar to the
other SED observations in SINGS, which we will make available to the SINGS team
and to the community through the Spitzer Science Center.