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C. Struck (Iowa State), B. J. Smith (ETSU), P. N. Appleton (SSC-Caltech), V. Charmandaris (Univ. Crete/Cornell), W. Reach (SSC-Cornell)
We present new Spitzer infrared images from a survey of two dozen strongly interacting galaxy pairs, and compare their morphologies in the different infrared bands. The images include sensitive detection of induced star formation in tidal structures extending large distances from the galaxy centers. The IRAC 3.6 and 4.5 micron bands trace the older stellar population, so galaxian bulges and old stellar disks are prominent in these images. In contrast, the IRAC 8.0 micron band is a good measure of the young stellar population in the disks and tidal structures. Spiral arms and tidal features appear much smoother in the shorter wavelength IRAC bands compared to 8 microns, where dozens of clumps of star formation are detected. In the longer wavelength MIPS observations, colder dust is detected. This research is supported by NASA Spitzer grant 1263961.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 37 #2
© 2005. The American Astronomical Soceity.