Purpose of the Program

Bright mid-infrared sources of a wide range were surveyed for mid-infrared spectral lines.

Principal Investigator

Edward Montiel

Proposal ID and Data Access

06_0144

Proposal Abstract

We are proposing to create a high spectral resolution (R = 50,000) legacy library of classical, MIR-bright sources covering from 5.23 to 28.3 micron with SOFIA/EXES. Ro-vibrational transitions and non-polar molecules can only be studied within this wavelength regime. This sample includes objects within the Solar System, high mass protostars, and evolved stars. For our sample, we expect to generate and provide line lists identifying all the features in their spectra as well as versions of the spectra deconvolved to JWST/MIRI resolution. This library is likely to be the most definitive collection of MIR spectra until a space-based mission includes a high spectral resolution instrument.

Sources Observed

IRC +10216: All observations with EXES 2.4” slit

NGC 7538 IRS 1: Rely on archival short wavelength observations to complete survey; proposed observations only partially completed

AFGL 2136: Rely on archival short wavelength observations to complete survey; proposed observations only partially completed

Hubble Space Telescope image of IRC+10216 with spectra overlaid

Hubble Space Telescope image of IRC+10216 together with a small portion of the SOFIA/EXES high-resolution spectrum around 13.3 µm. The low-resolution spectrum taken with the Infrared Space Observatory is similar to the results expected from JWST. Credit: ESA/Hubble, NASA, and Toshiya Ueta (University of Denver), Hyosun Kim (KASI); Cernicharo et al., 1999; Montiel et al. (in prep); Fonfría et al (in prep). Click on image for a larger version.