Dusty waves on a starry sea: The mid-infrared view of M31

P. Barmby, M. L.N. Ashby, L. Bianchi, C. W. Engelbracht, R. D. Gehrz, K. D. Gordon, J. L. Hinz, J. P. Huchra, R. M. Humphreys, M. A. Pahre, P. G. Pérez-González, E. F. Polomski, G. H. Rieke, D. A. Thilker, S. P. Willner, C. E. Woodward

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

122 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mid-infrared observations of the Andromeda galaxy, M31, obtained with the Infrared Array Camera on board the Spitzer Space Telescope are presented. The image mosaics cover areas of approximately 3.°7 × 1.°6 and include the satellite galaxies M32 and NGC 205. The appearance of M31 varies dramatically in the different mid-infrared bands, from the smooth bulge and disk of the old stellar population seen at 3.6 μm to the well-known "10 kpc ring" dominating the 8 μm image. The similarity of the 3.6 μm and optical isophotes and the nearly constant optical-mid-infrared color over the inner 400'' confirm that there is no significant extinction at optical wavelengths in M31's bulge. The nuclear colors indicate the presence of dust but not an infrared-bright active galactic nucleus. The integrated 8 μm nonstellar luminosity implies a star formation rate of 0.4 Modot; yr-1, consistent with other indicators that show M31 to be a quiescent galaxy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)L45-L49
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume650
Issue number1 II
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 10 2006

Keywords

  • Galaxies: ISM
  • Galaxies: individual (M31)
  • Galaxies: spiral
  • Galaxies: stellar content
  • Infrared: galaxies

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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