Results from the South Pole Infra-Red EXplorer Telescope

Abstract

The SPIREX telescope, located at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, was a prototype system developed to exploit the excellent conditions for IR observing at the South Pole. Observations over two winter seasons achieved remarkably deep, high-resolution, wide-field images in the 3-5 mu m wavelength regime. Several star forming complexes were observed, including NGC 6334, Chamaeleon I, eta Chamaeleontis, the Carina Nebula, 30 Doradus, RCW 57, RCW 38, as well as the Galactic Center. Images were obtained of lines at 2.42 mu m H-2, 3.29 mu m PAH and 4.05 mu m Br alpha, as well as 3.5 mu m L-band and 4.7 mu m M-band continuum emission. These data, combined with near-IR, mid-IR, and radio continuum maps, reveal the environments of these star forming sites, as well as any protostars lying within them. The SPIREX project, its observing and reduction methods, and some sample data are summarized here.