Verification of H2 emission candidates from GLIMPSE360 - Preparatory PANIC narrow-band imaging using the Calar Alto 2.2-m telescope

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The GLIMPSE survey of the inner Galaxy revealed many objects with 4.5 micron excess due to emission from molecular hydrogen (H2). These comprise YSO outflows, (proto-)planetary nebulae, HII regions, and SN remnants. The follow-up GLIMPSE360 survey, a SPITZER warm mission, yielded a full coverage of the Galactic plane, but just in the 3.6 and 4.5 micron bands. Although a large [3.6 - 4.5] color may hint at emission from H2, it could be also caused by a very red continuum. This shall be distinguished by ground-based follow-up imaging in the H2 1-0 S(1) line using PANIC. Before attempting this large observational effort, we applied at the Calar Alto observatory to conduct a feasibility study first. This observing application was accepted with a very good grade (A). In order to cover the travel expenses for the observing run, the present proposal asks for funding from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.