The Infrared Array Camera dark field: Far-infrared to X-ray data

J. E. Krick, J. A. Surace, D. Thompson, M. L.N. Ashby, J. Hora, V. Gorjian, L. Yan, D. T. Frayer, E. Egami, M. Lacy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present 20 band photometry from the far-IR to X-ray in the Spitzer Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) dark field. The bias for the near-IR camera on Spitzer is calibrated by observing a 20′ diameter "dark" field near the north ecliptic pole roughly every two-to-three weeks throughout the mission duration of Spitzer. The field is unique for its extreme depth, low background, high quality imaging, time-series information, and accompanying photometry including data taken with Akari, Palomar, MMT, KPNO, Hubble, and Chandra. This serendipitous survey contains the deepest mid-IR data taken to date. This data set is well suited for studies of intermediate-redshift galaxy clusters, high-redshift galaxies, the first generation of stars, and the lowest mass brown dwarfs, among others. This paper provides a summary of the data characteristics and catalog generation from all bands collected to date as well as a discussion of photometric redshifts and initial and expected science results and goals. To illustrate the scientific potential of this unique data set, we also present here IRAC color-color diagrams.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)85-97
Number of pages13
JournalAstrophysical Journal, Supplement Series
Volume185
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009

Keywords

  • Cosmology: observations
  • Galaxies: photometry

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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