Observational Program in Ground-Based Infrared Astronomy

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This project will focus on observational studies of infrared bright galaxies, active galactic nuclei, supernovae and superno- vae remnants, and star formation regions using the facilities of the 200 inch Hale Telescope of the Palomar Observatory. Two new instruments will be built to complement the existing infrared instrumentation for the this telescope, and techniques will be developed to achieve diffraction limited imaging at near infrared wavelengths using the existing and proposed cameras. The observation programs to be undertaken will address major questions in infrared astronomy: i. What is the underlying power source of infrared bright galaxies? ii. What is the relationship between ultraluminous infrared galaxies and quasars? iii. How does galaxy interaction produce infrared bright galaxies? iv. What is the origin of the infrared continuum radiation in quasars and active galactic nuclei? In addition, studies will be made of the use of infrared observa- tions of supernovae as standard candles to probe the velocity structure of the local universe, and of the interactions of supernova remnants with the interstellar medium. These projects will utilize the imaging (both line and continuum) and spectro- scopic capabilities of the near infrared camera recently intro- duced by this group on the 200 inch telescope. The camera will also be used, in concert with sophisticated analysis techniques, to achieve diffraction limited resolution analysis of forming stars and mass loosing stars in the near infrared. Dr. Neugebauer's group is one of the leading and most productive in the application of state of the art infrared techniques to astronomical studies.