8002(  1) - 04/16/98 14:15  - [  1]

    PROPOSAL FOR HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS   ST ScI Use Only
                                                       ID:      8002
                                                       Version: 1
                                                       Check-in Date: 16-Apr-1998
                                                                      14:11:10

1.Proposal Title:
Spatially Resolved Modeling of the Dust Attenuation and Intrinsic Stellar SEDs in
Starburst Galaxies
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2. Proposal For  3. Cycle
AR               7
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4. Investigators
                                                                                     Contact?
    PI: Geoffrey Clayton                  Louisiana State University
   CoI: Karl Gordon                       Louisiana State University                    N
   CoI: Denise Smith                      Space Telescope Science Institute             N
   CoI: Michael Wolff                     Space Science Institute                       N

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5. Abstract

We propose to apply our starburst galaxy model to determine the spatial distribution
of the dust attenuation and intrinsic stellar SEDs of 12 starburst galaxies with UV
and optical HST archival data. In order to study starburst galaxies, a model which
encompasses the stars, gas, and dust in these galaxies is needed. Our model improves
on previous work by including the effects of dust using Monte Carlo radiative
transfer techniques. We will compare our starburst galaxy model results to HST
archival UV/optical data and ground-based JHK images. Our analysis will produce
estimates of spatially resolved star formation rates, initial mass functions, dust
attenuations, dust geometry, etc. From this work, we will gain a much better
understanding of the effects of dust within starburst galaxies. These effects must
be included in order to accurately derive the intrinsic stellar population. The
study of starburst galaxies in the local Universe gives us vital clues to the
mechanisms of star formation and the interplay between star formation and dust. The
knowledge gained at high spatial resolution for nearby galaxies can then be applied
to observations of high redshift galaxies. Accurate models of these distant galaxies
will provide information on the evolution of galaxies.
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  Blocking Factor: 10
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                                                8002(  1) - 04/16/98 14:15  - [  2]

            Summary Form for Proposal  8002

  Item                         Used in this proposal
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  Proposal Category            AR
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