Star forming regions in the Andromeda galaxy

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The aim of research is to conduct extensive infrared observations of the Andromeda galaxy, the nearest large galaxy accessible from the northern hemisphere, and to reveal the detailed structure of its star forming regions. The observatios are important to study the star formation in the large (galaxy) scale. We have conducted deep and very high resolution imaging of several star forming fields of the galaxy at the wavelengths of 1.25mum (J-band), 1.65 mum (H-band), 2.20 mum (K-band).After extensive data reduction and analysis, we have successfully detected a number of infrared sources which have never been reported at other wavelengths. We also conducted careful photometry of each infrared source, employing the technique of PSF photometry. The data have been accepted for a publication in the Astrophysical Journal Supplements.Furthermore, we have discovered new types of objects in the Andromeda galaxy, whose infrared color is high red, presumably considered to be candidates for protostars or super-wind phase AGB stars in the Andromeda galaxy. This kind of objects are unique and detected for the first time in the galaxy. The results have been accepted for a publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. These objects will be one of the best targets for the future spectroscopy at the Japanese National Large Telescope under construction.