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A Spatially Resolved Survey of the Mid-Infrared Aromatic Features in Nearby Galaxies

Starkey, Carl A
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2952-5444
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1452253785

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, Physics.
Mid-infrared spectra of almost all astronomical objects reveal a rich array of emission features largely attributed to the IR florescence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These features can account for a significant portion of the total infrared luminosity but exhibit a dependence on their local environment, including metalicity, that is not yet well understood. We present deep 5 to 38 um spectroscopic data taken with the SL and LL IRS instrument of the Spitzer space telescope of three high radial abundance gradient nearby galaxies: NGC5457, NGC0628, and NGC2403. Available data are subdivided into 13" extraction regions in order to maximize the resolution of our analysis while still presenting a reasonable signal to noise. We measure the strength of the PAH features in each sub-region by performing a multi-dimensional fi t of the underlying continuum due to aggregate dust temperatures, PAH features, and electronic transitions using the IDL routine PAHFIT. We also present Herschel PACS 70,100,160, GALEX FUV and NUV data on our targeted regions. We show for the first time that the well known correlation of total PAH intensity to total Infrared intensity and oxygen abundance on galactic scales also hold on sub kpc scales within these galaxies. We examine the impact that the local abundance, intensity and hardness of the radiation field has on PAH intensity and the physical conditions implied by PAH band ratios and that all play a significant role.
J.D. Smith, Dr. (Advisor)
Chandar Rupali, Dr. (Committee Member)
Lawrence Anderson-Huang, Dr. (Committee Member)
Jacques Amar, Dr. (Committee Member)
Karin Sandstrom, Dr. (Committee Member)
114 p.
Astronomy; Astrophysics; Physics
infrared; spectroscopy; PAH; PAHFIT

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Starkey, C. A. (2016). A Spatially Resolved Survey of the Mid-Infrared Aromatic Features in Nearby Galaxies [Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1452253785

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Starkey, Carl. A Spatially Resolved Survey of the Mid-Infrared Aromatic Features in Nearby Galaxies. 2016. University of Toledo, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1452253785.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Starkey, Carl. "A Spatially Resolved Survey of the Mid-Infrared Aromatic Features in Nearby Galaxies." Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1452253785

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

toledo1452253785
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This open access ETD is published by University of Toledo and OhioLINK.