Results from the South Pole InfraRed EXplorer Telescope
Abstract. The SPIREX telescope, located at the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station, was a prototype system developed to exploit the excellent conditions for IR observing at the South Pole. Observations over two winter seasons achieved remarkably deep, high-resolution, wide-field images in the 3–5µm wa...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2003
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| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.338.5127 http://arxiv.org/pdf/astro-ph/0310584v1.pdf |
| Summary: | Abstract. The SPIREX telescope, located at the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station, was a prototype system developed to exploit the excellent conditions for IR observing at the South Pole. Observations over two winter seasons achieved remarkably deep, high-resolution, wide-field images in the 3–5µm wavelength regime. Several star forming complexes were observed, including NGC 6334, Chamaeleon I, η Chamaeleontis, the Carina Nebula, 30 Doradus, RCW 57, RCW 38, as well as the Galactic Centre. Images were obtained of lines at 2.42µm H2, 3.29µm PAH and 4.05µm Br α, as well as 3.5µm L–band and 4.7µm M–band continuum emission. These data, combined with near–IR, mid–IR, and radio continuum maps, reveal the environments of these star forming sites, as well as any protostars lying within them. The SPIREX project, its observing and reduction methods, and some sample data are summarized here. 1. |
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