The Spitzer Space Telescope is revolutionizing our understanding of star formation and the dusty interstellar media of galaxies. The unprecedented resolution and sensitivity of the Spitzer images, when combined with observations at ultraviolet, visible, and radio wavelengths, are providing for the first time complete, detailed maps of the current star formation covering the full range of interstellar environments and evolutionary stages. The same data delineate the structure and topology of the cold ISM in galaxies with unprecedented depth and detail. The Spitzer mid- and far-infrared spectra provide information on the physical conditions in all of the relevant phases of the star-forming regions, from the ionized regions surrounding massive stars to the surrounding PDR, neutral, molecular, and shocked regions.

This talk will highlight early results from the Spitzer Infrared Nearby Galaxies Survey (SINGS), a comprehensive, multi-wavelength Legacy survey of 75 nearby galaxies that span a full range of types, luminosities, and infrared properties found in the local universe. As with all of the Legacy projects, SINGS is designed to maximize the scientific and archival value of its dataset to the astronomical community at large, and our presentation will emphasize the richness of the data for a wide range of astrophysical applications.

Refreshments will be served in the Steward Observator lobby at 3:30pm.