NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Project (NITARP)



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CURRENT TEAMS

New Teams Coming Soon!
+ Round 4

Round 1 - Young Stars in IC 2118

Abstract

IC 2118, the Witch Head Nebula (~210 parsecs), is a star forming region located near the supergiant star Rigel in the constellation Orion. Kun et al. (2004, A&A, 418, 89) have determined that IC 2118 is on the near side of the Orion-Eridanus Super Bubble and that stellar winds from the Orion OB1 association may be triggering new star formation in the nebula. We propose using IRAC and MIPS to reexamine a small dense region of this nebula where Kun et al. have spectroscopically identified three 2MASS sources as T Tauri stars embedded in the cloud. Previous all-sky surveys, including both IRAS and 2MASS, have included this region, but not to the resolution that Spitzer can provide, and there are few studies of this particular region in the literature. Our team proposes to use IRAC and MIPS observations to (1) investigate star formation, (2) look for likely cluster member stars with infrared excesses, and characterize this young star population by obtaining their colors and therefore estimates of masses and ages, (3) study the distribution of stars, their relationship to the ISM, and the possibilities of triggered star formation, (4) compare the young star population, distribution, and age to other similar sites of star formation, e.g., IC 1396 and (5) produce a dramatic image of the interstellar medium in the region surrounding IC 2118. Since this region is in the Orion constellation near the bright star Rigel, it provides additional appeal to students and the general public.

Click on any teacher's name to see activities associated with NITARP.


Lead Teacher:

    Tim Spuck
    Oil City Area Sr. High School, Oil City, PA

Participating Teachers:

Support Scientist:

    Dr. Luisa M. Rebull
    Spitzer Science Center, Pasadena, CA

Program News and Work

Proposal - pdf file

Technical Details

The source list data table will include 2MASS (J, H, and K band), IRAC (3.6, 4.5, 5.8, 8 µm), and MIPS (24 and possibly 70 µm) fluxes in both magnitudes and Janskys.

By using IRAC and MIPS-24, we will be able to identify more young stars via infrared excesses than by using IRAC alone.

Spectral Energy Distributions (SEDs) constructed using IRAC+MIPS (combined with 2MASS) will enable us to discriminate between cluster members and background extragalactic objects.

MIPS-70 will largely reveal the structure of the ISM, though it will also help with identifying cluster members because it will enable us to identify young stars with large mid-IR excesses.

Although data will be obtained at 160 um with MIPS, we do not require it; any ancillary data obtained at MIPS-160 will further enhance our understanding of the interstellar medium in this region.

IRAC Mapping

With IRAC we will detect stars in this region. We will make a 4 X 5 frame map at 3.6, 4.5, 5.8, and 8.0 microns with 3 dithers (cycling dither pattern) in the high dynamic range mode, each exposure 12s. This will cover a 20 x 20 arcmin area which will include both previously identified targets in this area of the cloud.

The total duration for IRAC will be 1819 seconds.

MIPS Scan Map

With MIPS we will be more sensitive to the ISM than to stars. We will do a fast scan at 24, 70, 160 microns, four legs, stepping by half an array each time. This will cover a 20 arcmin strip through the center of the target, including most of the IRAC map. Because the MIPS scan covers a long, thin region compared to the IRAC map, an ancillary data area will be obtained that covers a larger portion of the cloud at the three MIPS wavelengths.

The total duration for MIPS will be 1902 seconds.

Total Project Time

The total project time to 3721 sec (62 min).

Visibility

February 8, 2005 - March 25, 2005
September 9, 2005 - October 26, 2005

Status : Observed and Archived

Funding for NITARP comes from the NASA ADP program and NASA/Archive EPO program.

Questions? E-mail nitarp -- at -- ipac DOT caltech DOT edu