Analysis of a Blowout in Galaxy Analysis of a Blowout in Galaxy NGC 3628 Using Infrared NGC 3628 Using Infrared

PolarizationPolarizationBy Megan Teckman

2002 - 2003

Introduction

• The question addressed in this project was whether a blowout exists in galaxy NGC 3628.

• M 82

• Spiral galaxy • Edge on • Dust belt • Radio and X-ray emissions• Magnetic field• Dust• IR • Blowout

Purpose

• The purpose of this project was to ratify the existence of a blowout by mapping the magnetic field using images taken in polarized IR.

Image from http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/mko/maunakea.htm

NASA Infrared Telescope Research Facility

Mauna Kea, Hawaii

Methods

• Infrared Reduction and Analysis Facility (IRAF).

• Cropping & sorting.

• Sky Subtraction

Original Galaxy Image

Surrounding Sky

Sky-subtracted Image

- =

• Creating Flat Fields • Averaging

“Lights On” “Lights Off” “Flat”- =

• Fixing Pixels (fixpix)• Normalizing

• Flat Fielding• Centering• Shifting

• Smoothing• Masking• Translating

• Axum vector plotting

Results

Discussion

• The magnetic field skewed perpendicularly • Suggests blowout• The practical applications

– expanded knowledge– effectiveness of analyses

Further Study

• 3 x 3 pixel box• Observation of the brighter regions

Acknowledgments

• Dr. Terry Jay Jones

• April Homich and Garret Kuchta

• Mrs. Lois Fruen and Ms. Chelen Johnson

• Dr. Dave Thomas and Dr. Ian Armitage

• Team Research