Studies of the Cosmic Infrared Background with the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF)

Abstract

Abstract. IRAS, COBE, and ISO have demonstrated the unique importance of a cryogenic infrared telescope in space for studying diffuse infrared backgrounds and for teasing out the individual point sources which contribute to them. This importance results from the extremely high infrared sensitivity of such telescopes, particularly to diffuse radiation. The next cryogenic infrared telescope will be NASA's Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF), which is currently in the final stages of construction leading to launch in 2002. SIRTF will be the first infrared space observatory to make extensive use -both for imaging and spectroscopyof large format infrared detector arrays. The sensitivity and spatial and spectral coverage of SIRTF's array-based instruments endow SIRTF with great power for the study of the cosmic infrared background (CIRB) and related scientific issues. This paper reviews the SIRTF mission design and measurement functionality and describes SIRTF's potential studies of the CIRB, drawing examples from the programs planned by the SIRTF Guaranteed Time Observers (GTO's). We also summarize the opportunities for community participation in SIRTF.

The Cosmic Infrared Background: Measurements and Implications

“…Completion of the 2MASS survey at J, H and K bands will permit accurate removal of the stellar foreground over the substantial sky areas needed for convincing demonstration of isotropy. The Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) has the potential of providing direct measurements of foreground sources at 3.5 µm, though clearly over limited sky areas (Werner et al 2001). More extensive maps of the distribution of H + will be available as the WHAM survey progresses, facilitating CIB discrimination particularly in the far infrared.…”

“…Analyses of ISO data in the thermal and far-infrared are still in progress. Source counts will be carried to much fainter levels by missions such as SIRTF (Werner et al 2001), the Far Infrared Space Telescope (FIRST; Pilbratt 2001), and the Infrared Imaging Surveyor (IRIS;Shibai 2001). The Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) will provide the sensitivity and angular resolution at submillimeter and millimeter wavelengths needed to clarify the nature of the sources being revealed in SCUBA observations.…”