|
“The Galactic Plane Infrared Polarization Survey (GPIPS)” Dr. Dan Clemens Boston University |
| Since 1999, Boston University has been the main partner with Lowell Observatory in the use of the 1.83m Perkins telescope located on Anderson Mesa outside Flagstaff, Arizona. Two instruments for use on the Perkins were developed at Boston University, PRISM, an optical imager, spectrometer, and polarimeter, and Mimir, the infrared twin of PRISM, which supplies the same three light analysis functions. Mimir saw "first light" in 2004 and, with PRISM, has been in regular use ever since. Our group has been using Mimir on the Perkins for the past 3+ years to conduct a major new survey of the inner disk of the Milky Way to reveal the Galactic magnetic field with unprecedented angular resolution and depth. This Galactic Plane Infrared Polarization Survey, or GPIPS, has already covered about 40% of the same 76 square degree region already surveyed by 2MASS, the GLIMPSE mid-infrared imaging project for the Spitzer Space Telescope, and the BU-based Galactic Ring Survey for 13CO spectral line emission. This talk will review the GPIPS project and present a sampling of images and early findings from GPIPS, as well as from our related star clusters work in the inner Galactic disk, conducted using both Mimir and PRISM on the Perkins. |