Mapping Global Star Formation in the Interacting Galaxy Pair ARP 32

Abstract

A multi-wavelength set of photometric data including UV (GALEX), optical, near-IR, infrared (Spitzer) and radio (VLA 20cm) images and spectroscopic observations are used to map the dust-obscured and unobscured star formation in the galaxy pair ARP 32. The system consists of an actively star-forming galaxy and another one with depressed star formation. The most active galaxy has disrupted morphology and different sites of star formation. Spectroscopic data show hints of nuclear activity in its core, intense star formation in limited regions of the galaxy as well as an underlying population of stars witnessing a past episode of star formation. Current star formation rates are estimated from UV and bolometric IR luminosities.

4 pages, 3 figures, to be published in the Proceedings of the Spitzer Science Center 2005 Conference: Infrared Diagnostics of Galaxy Evolution (14-16 November 2005, Pasadena, CA)