Objective "Understanding the thermal balance of the interstellar medium (ISM) is of fundamental importance for studying star-formation and the evolution of galaxies over the history of the Universe. The photoelectric effect is the dominant source of heat in the ISM and its efficiency is determined by the properties of interstellar dust grains (their abundance, size distribution and charge state, primarily). Our knowledge of this crucial process is currently mostly theoretical, due to the lack of necessary observational constraints. However, new observations obtained as part of the KINGFISH key program on the Herschel Space Observatory will now let us observationally test our theory of photoelectric heating in a diverse sample of extragalactic environments. In this proposed project, we will use a combination of state of the art observations from Herschel and its predecessor, Spitzer, to study the efficiency of photoelectric heating as a function of dust grain properties in a sample of nearby galaxies.The leader of this project, Dr. Karin Sandstrom, will carry out the research as part of the Galaxies and Cosmology group at the MPI for Astronomy. Dr. Sandstrom's expertise in infrared spectroscopy and dust physics make her the ideal leader for this project. The support and mobility provided by a Marie Curie Incoming International fellowship will ensure that this innovative research into the ISM of nearby galaxies is performed at an EU research facility and will facilitate the transfer of knowledge on infrared spectroscopy and dust physics to the MPIA nearby galaxies group." Fields of science humanitieshistory and archaeologyhistoryagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturegrains and oilseedsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopyabsorption spectroscopynatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencescelestial mechanicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyphysical cosmology Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IIF - Marie Curie Action: "International Incoming Fellowships" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IIF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IIF - International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) Coordinator MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV Address Hofgartenstrasse 8 80539 Munchen Germany See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Sandra Mantwill-Aue (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data
