U.S.-France Cooperative: 2Mass Studies of the Atomic Hydrogen and Infrared Properties of Galaxies

University Of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst MA

Investigators

Abstract

0089703 Schneider This three-year award for U.S.-France cooperative research in astronomy involves Stephen E. Schneider of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Chantal Balkowski of the Observatoire de Paris. The investigators will conduct joint observations using the Nancay and Arecibo radiotelescopes. The complementarity of these instruments will allow for: (1) new measures of the combined stellar and gaseous baryonic content of galaxies; (2) searches for gas-rich galaxies dominated by old, red populations of stars; (3) detection of large-scale structures into deep regions of the universe beyond our Galaxy; and (4) examination of motions of galaxies relative to large-scale structure. The project is part of the 2-Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) which generates images of the entire sky at near-infrared wavelengths. Faint and low surface brightness galaxies in the 2MASS survey are the foci of this collaboration. The project takes advantage of complementary expertise of the US and French investigators, combines data generated by the 2MASS and the 21 cm radio observations at Nancay. This award represents the US side of a joint proposal to the NSF and the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). NSF will cover travel funds and living expenses for the US investigator and undergraduate student. CNRS will support the visits of French researchers to the United States. The collaboration will advance fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of star formation in normal galaxies and low surface brightness galaxies.