Large projects provide the opprotunity to contribute to efforts that are significantly larger than can be done by a single investigator or small group. I have had the privilege of being part of a number of large projects that have been focused around obsevations with various space-based telescopes including Spitzer, Herchel, Hubble, and (soon) the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The many people I have met through these collaborations has greatly enriched my life and my appreciation and understanding of the vastness of astronomical research.
This project observed approzimately 1/3 of M31 in 6 photometric bands from the mid-UV through the near-IR. The PI was J. Dalcanton and my role started as an expert on the M31 Spitzer observations and evolved to leading the effort to fit the SEDs of the many millions of sources. See Dalcanton et al. (2012) for details of the survey. The data can be obtained from MAST.
This project observed 61 nearby galaxies obtaining Herschel PACS and SPIRE imaging for the entire galaxies and spectroscopy of selected regions. The PI was R. Kennicutt and my role was to contribute to the observations/data reduction and dust related investigations. See Kennicutt et al. (2011) for details of the survey. The data can be obtained from IRSA.
This project obtained Herschel PACS and SPIRE imaging of the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (LMC \& SMC). The PI was M. Meixner and my role was to oversee the PACS portion (observations and data reduction) and to work analyze the results to measure dust masss and investigate the dust grain properties. See Meixner et al. (2013) for details of the survey and Gordon et al. (2014) for dust mass and properties results. The data can be obtained from IRSA.
The Spitzer Infrared Nearby Galaxies Survey (SINGS) observed 75 nearby galaxies obtaining IRAC and MIPS images and IRS spectroscopy of nuclei and selected regions. This goal was to obtain observations of a sample of galaxies that spanned a wide range of properties. The PI was R. Kennicutt and I participated heavily in the MIPS portion (observations and data reduction). See Kennicutt et al. (2003) for details.
This project obtained Spitzer IRAC and MIPS imaging of the entire Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). It was the first project in the Surveying the Agents of Galaxy Evolution (SAGE) family of Spitzer Legacy programs. The PI was M. Meixner and my role was to oversee the MIPS portion (observations and data reduction). See Meixner et al. (2006) for details. The data can be obtained from IRSA.
This poroject obtained Spitzer IRAC and MIPS imaging of the entire Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). This was the 2nd the large project in the Surveying the Agents of Galaxy Evolution (SAGE) family of Spitzer Legacy programs. I was the PI and also oversaw the MIPS portion (observations and data reduction). See Gordon et al. (2011) for details. The data can be obtained from IRSA.
This project obtained Spitzer IRS spectroscopy of a sample of point and extended sources in the Large Magellanic Cloud. This was the 3rd the large project in the Surveying the Agents of Galaxy Evolution (SAGE) family of Spitzer Legacy programs. The PI was F. Kemper and I participated heavily in the extended source portion. See Kemper et al. (2010) for details. The data can be obtained from IRSA.