To be published in "The Spectral Energy Distribution of Gas-Rich Galaxies: Confronting Models with Data", Proceedings of the International Workshop held 4-8 October 2004 in Heidelberg, 4-8 Oct. 2004, Edited by Cristina C. Popescu and Richard J. Tuffs, AIP Conf. Ser.

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NORMAL GAS-RICH GALAXIES IN THE FAR-INFRARED: THE LEGACY OF ISOPHOT

Richard J. Tuffs & Cristina C. Popescu

Max Planck Institut für Kernphysik, Astrophysics Department, Saupfercheckweg 1, D-69117 Heidelberg,
e-mail: Richard.Tuffs@mpi-hd.mpg.de; Cristina.Popescu@mpi-hd.mpg.de


Abstract. Following on from IRAS, the ISOPHOT instrument on board the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) has provided a huge advancement in our knowledge of the phenomenology of the far-infrared (FIR) emission of normal galaxies and the underlying physical processes. Highlights include: the discovery of an extended cold dust emission component, present in all types of gas-rich galaxies and carrying the bulk of the dust luminosity; the definitive characterisation of the spectral energy distribution in the FIR, revealing the channels through which stars power the FIR light; the derivation of realistic geometries for stars and dust from ISOPHOT imaging and the discovery of cold dust associated with HI extending beyond the optical body of galaxies.


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