ASPCS
 
Back to Volume
Paper: A Sensitive VLA Image Covering the SIRTF First-Look Survey Area
Volume: 289, The Proceedings of the IAU 8th Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, Volume I
Page: 125
Authors: Yin, Q. F.; Condon, J. J.; Cotton, W. D.
Abstract: SIRTF is scheduled for launch in 2003 January and will be orders-of-magnitude more sensitive than earlier infrared telescopes. Its first major science program will be the First-Look Survey (FLS) so that scientists planning to use SIRTF will have a better understanding of the deep infrared sky and can propose observations that will make the best use of SIRTF during its limited operational lifetime. The extragalactic component of the FLS will cover 5 degree square near the north ecliptic pole with unprecedented sensitivity at mid- and far-infrared wavelengths. Since most SIRTF FLS sources will be starburst galaxies that obey the far-infrared/radio correlation and since most microJy radio sources are powered by starbursts, a 1.4-GHz VLA survey with a 5 sigma approximately 100 microJy detection limit can preselect most of the SIRTF FLS population. The theta = 5.0 arcsecond resolution of our B-configuration survey minimizes confusion and yields the accurate positions needed for making optical identifications with galaxies as faint as R approximately 25.5 mag. The VLA survey of the central 2.5 degree square has been completed, and the images and catalogues are available at http://sirtf.caltech.edu/SSC/T_FLS/exgal/vla.html. The remaining VLA observations will be made during the summer of 2002 and the final data products should be released before the end of the year.
Back to Volume