The Ohio State Infrared Imaging System: A Survey of Galaxies and Regions of Star Formation

将建立1-2.5微米波长成像系统，开展两大研究项目：研究星系的形态和恒星含量，确定具有广泛物理特征的恒星形成区域的恒星初始质量函数。该仪器将基于罗克韦尔256 x 256 HgCdTe阵列，并用于位于亚利桑那州弗拉格斯塔夫的俄亥俄州立/洛厄尔天文台1.8米望远镜。1.6弧秒/像素的板比例尺和分辨率为240的格栅将使该仪器具有两个独特的特性：7弧秒/像素的大视场结合高量子效率（QE），以及相同大小的狭缝长度用于低分辨率光谱。这些特点与长时间观测的可用性相结合，将使俄亥俄州立大学的研究人员能够开展大规模的调查项目，达到否则不可能达到的灵敏度。两项主要任务中的第一项将是编制各种类型正常星系的多色近红外地图集。近红外光可以密切跟踪质量分布，有望揭示光学上不可见的结构。对黑云和恒星形成区域的研究代表了第一次对云质量范围的完整调查，并将建立，例如，恒星初始质量函数如何随环境变化。

A 1-2.5 micron wavelength imaging system will be constructed to carry out two major research programs: a study of the morphology and stellar content of galaxies and a determination of the stellar initial mass function in regions of star formation with a wide range of physical characteristics. The instrument will be based on a Rockwell 256 x 256 HgCdTe array and be used on the Ohio State/Lowell Observatory 1.8-m telescope in Flagstaff, Arizona. A plate scale of 1.6 arcsec per pixel and a grism with a resolving power of 240 will give the instrument two unique characteristics: a large - 7 arcmin - field of view combined with high quantum efficiency (QE), and a slit length of equal size for low resolution spectroscopy. These characteristics combined with the availability of long blocks of observing time, will allow the researchers at Ohio State to carry out large scale survey programs to a level of sensitivity that would be otherwise impossible. The first of the two major undertakings will be the compilation of a multi-color near infrared (IR) atlas of normal galaxies of all types. The near IR light, which closely tracks the mass distribution, is expected to reveal structures not visible optically. The study of dark clouds and regions of star formation represents the first time a complete survey over a range of cloud masses will be obtained and will establish, for example, how the stellar initial mass function varies with environment.