GLIMPSE360

GLIMPSE360 will map the remaining 187 degrees of the Galactic Plane that have not been observed with the Spitzer Space Telescope. The survey will cover longitude l=65-265 degrees excluding l ~102-109 and l~76-82. The latitude range will be 3.1 degrees, wider than the previous GLIMPSE surveys (2 degrees) because the disk flares more in the Outer Galaxy. The latitude center will follow the Galactic warp.

Three visits on each sky position with 0.6&12s HDR frames will provide a high dynamic range of sensitivity that exceeds both GLIMPSE and the planned WISE mission surveys at both ends. This will allow us to determine the edge of the Galactic stellar disk, study low and high mass star formation in the nearby Perseus arm as well as in the Far Outer Galaxy, and study evolved stars throughout the Galaxy.

The combination of GLIMPSE360 and the previous GLIMPSE (abs(l)<65 deg.) and smaller surveys will provide us with a lasting global dataset, encompassing most of the stars and star formation in our Galaxy. This database will allow us to determine the star-formation rate in the Galaxy, how the stellar disk scale heights and lengths vary across the Galaxy, and how the dust extinction law varies with location in the disk. In addition, we will catalog stars, star clusters, PAH bubbles, supernova remnants, infrared dark clouds, outflows from massive protostars, planetary nebulae, external galaxies in the Zone of Avoidance, and many other types of objects. Following the tradition of the previous GLIMPSE Legacy programs, we will deliver enhanced data products for the survey-source lists and cleaned mosaics-to the community.