= = we have obtained the deepest image of the radio sky ever obtained, using 190 hours of vla time to reach an rms of 1.5 microjansky at 8.4ghz at a resolution of 3 arcsec, of a field having exceptionally low cirrus confusion. this image highlights the population of microjansky radio sources and contains two quasars at z=2.561, possibly in a cluster giving rise to a sunyaev-zeldovich effect observed in the radio data. hst data and optical redshifts show that the microjansky radio sources are merger-induced starbursts in luminous disk galaxies at significant redshifts (spectroscopic redshifts are available out to z=0.7). this population is evolving strongly and highlights the evolution of the galaxy population by the successive hierachical merging of galaxies. we propose to obtain confusion-limited iso imaging with cam at 15 and 6.7 micron and phot at 90 micron of this unique field. these data will provide first determinations of the total star formation rates in these objects, and hence of the star formation density in this population, and the evolution thereof, independent of obscuration by dust. spectral energy distributions will elucidate the role of active nuclei. luminous, but optically obscured microjansky radio galaxies will be revealed by the iso data. the deep vla field is a unique compendium of starforming galaxies at significant redshifts, and given the natural connection with the infrared regime through the radio-infrared relation, the iso data will make a unique contribution to the field of galaxy evolution with these data.
Instrument
CAM01 , PHT32
Temporal Coverage
1997-07-26T01:33:06Z/1998-04-04T14:41:21Z
Version
1.0
Mission Description
The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) was the world's first true orbiting infrared observatory. Equipped with four highly-sophisticated and versatile scientific instruments, it was launched by Ariane in November 1995 and provided astronomers world-wide with a facility of unprecedented sensitivity and capabilities for a detailed exploration of the Universe at infrared wavelengths.
