The Mid-Infrared Galaxy Atlas

The Mid-Infrared Galaxy Atlas (MIGA) is a mid-infrared (12 µm and 25 µm) counterpart to the far-infrared IRAS Galaxy Atlas (IGA). The initial atlas was created in support of the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey (CGPS).

Overview

The Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) carried out a nearly complete survey of the infrared sky, and the survey data are important for the study of many astrophysical phenomena. However, many data sets at other wavelengths have higher resolutions than that of the co-added IRAS maps, and high resolution IRAS images are strongly desired both for their own information content and their usefulness in correlation studies. In particular the typical 1' resolution of the HIRES atlas images is ideal for comparison with data from the numerous radio surveys of the Galactic plane currently underway.

A mid-infrared atlas of part of the Galactic plane (75° < l < 148°, b = +/- 6°) has been constructed using HIRES processed infrared data to provide a mid-infrared data set for the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey (CGPS). The addition of this data set to the CGPS will enable the study of the emission from the smallest components of interstellar dust at an angular resolution comparable to that of the radio, millimetre, and far-infrared data in the CGPS. The Mid-Infrared Galaxy Atlas (MIGA) is a mid-infrared (12 µm and 25 µm) counterpart to the far-infrared IRAS Galaxy Atlas (IGA), and consists of resolution enhanced (~0'.5 resolution) HIRES images along with ancillary maps. As radio surveys of the Milky Way continue to expand their coverage additional images will be added to the MIGA.

Personnel

  • Charles R. Kerton, Iowa State University, Department of Physics and Astronomy
  • Peter G. Martin, Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Toronto

Links

  • CADC Canadian Astronomy Data Centre (for CGPS data)
  • IPAC Infrared Processing and Analysis Center
  • IGPS International Galactic Plane Survey

Publications