Spitzer Infrared Nearby Galaxies Survey (SINGS) imaging of NGC 7331: A panchromatic view of a ringed galaxy

Michael W. Regan, Michele D. Thornley, George J. Bendo, Bruce T. Draine, Aigen Li, Daniel A. Dale, Charles W. Engelbracht, Robert C. Kennicutt, Lee Armus, Daniela Calzetti, Karl D. Gordon, George Helou, David J. Hollenbach, Thomas H. Jarrett, Lisa J. Kewley, Claus Leitherer, Sangeeta Malhotra, Martin Meyer, Karl A. Misselt, Jane E. MorrisonEric J. Murphy, James Muzerolle, George H. Rieke, Marcia J. Rieke, Hélène Roussel, John David T. Smith, Fabian Walter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

Well-resolved infrared observations of nearby galaxies are of fundamental importance to the study of the processes that affect galactic evolution. In this paper we report on the first imaging results from the Spitzer Infrared Nearby Galaxies Survey (SINGS) using observations of the Sb galaxy NGC 7331. We present images of NGC 7331 over a large range of wavelengths that allow us to compare the distributions of gas, stars, and dust in unprecedented detail. As an example of the types of information that the full SINGS will provide, we use three methods to determine that the interstellar medium mass in the ring of NGC 7331 is ∼5 × 109 M⊙. We also present the first images showing emission from small hot (∼1000 K) dust grains, but we show that these dust grains contribute only a small fraction of the integrated 4.5 μm emission from NGC 7331.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)204-210
Number of pages7
JournalAstrophysical Journal, Supplement Series
Volume154
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2004

Keywords

  • Dust, extinction
  • Galaxies: ISM
  • Galaxies: individual (NGC 7331)
  • Galaxies: structure
  • Infrared: galaxies

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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