Extended Mid-Infrared Aromatic Feature Emission in M82

Creators: Engelbracht, C. W.; Kundurthy, P.; Gordon, K. D.; Rieke, G. H.; Kennicutt, R. C.; Smith, J.-D. T.; Regan, M. W.; Makovoz, D.; Sosey, M.; Draine, B. T.; Helou, G.; Armus, L.; Calzetti, D.; Meyer, M.; Bendo, G. J.; Walter, F.; Hollenbach, D.; Cannon, J. M.; Murphy, E. J.; Dale, D. A.; Buckalew, B. A.; Sheth, K.

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Abstract

We present new images (ground-based optical and mid-infrared [MIR] from the Spitzer Space Telescope) and spectra (from Spitzer) of the archetypal starburst galaxy M82. The Spitzer data show that the MIR emission extends at least 6 kpc along the minor axis of the galaxy. We use the optical and infrared data to demonstrate that the extended emission is dominated by emission from dust. The colors of the MIR emission and the spectra indicate that there is a strong component of aromatic feature emission (the MIR features commonly attributed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). The dust continuum and aromatic feature emission are both strong in the well-known superwind region of this galaxy; clearly, the carrier of the aromatic features can survive in close proximity to the wind, far from the plane of the galaxy. We also see significant emission by dust well outside the superwind region, providing the clearest picture to date of the dust distribution in the halo of this galaxy.

Additional Information

© 2006 American Astronomical Society. Received 2006 February 2; accepted 2006 March 27; published 2006 April 17. We thank the anonymous referee for a constructive report that improved this Letter. This work is based in part on observations made with the Spitzer Space Telescope, which is operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under NASA contract 1407. Support for this work, part of the Spitzer Space Telescope Legacy Science Program, was provided by NASA through contracts 1224769 and 1255094 issued by JPL/Caltech.

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