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

将建造一个1-2.5微米波长成像系统，以执行两个主要研究计划：研究星系的形态和恒星含量，以及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Rockwell 256 x 256 HgCdTe阵列，并将用于位于亚利桑那州弗拉格斯塔夫的俄亥俄州立大学/洛厄尔天文台1.8米望远镜。每像素1.6角秒的平板刻度和分辨率为240的棱镜将使该仪器具有两个独特的特点：大视场和高量子效率(QE)相结合，以及用于低分辨率光谱的等尺寸狭缝长度。这些特点，再加上长时间的观测时间，将使俄亥俄州立大学的研究人员能够进行大规模的调查计划，达到否则不可能达到的灵敏度水平。两项主要工作中的第一项将是汇编所有类型的正常星系的多色近红外(IR)地图集。近红外光密切跟踪质量分布，预计将揭示光学上看不到的结构。对暗云和恒星形成区域的研究是首次获得对一系列云团的完整调查，并将确定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.