PACS Evolutionary Probe (PEP) - A Herschel Key Program

TL;DR

The PEP Herschel program uses deep far-infrared surveys to study galaxy evolution, providing new insights into star formation rates and complementing other multiwavelength data for high-redshift galaxies.

Contribution

It introduces the PEP Herschel key program, detailing its survey strategy, data reduction, and initial science results that advance understanding of galaxy evolution.

Findings

Calorimetric star formation rates for high-redshift galaxies derived.

PEP data tests and improves upon previous wavelength-based extrapolations.

Supports diverse galaxy evolution studies with multiwavelength fields.

Abstract

Deep far-infrared photometric surveys studying galaxy evolution and the nature of the cosmic infrared background are a key strength of the Herschel mission. We describe the scientific motivation for the PACS Evolutionary Probe (PEP) guaranteed time key program and its role in the complement of Herschel surveys, and the field selection which includes popular multiwavelength fields such as GOODS, COSMOS, Lockman Hole, ECDFS, EGS. We provide an account of the observing strategies and data reduction methods used. An overview of first science results illustrates the potential of PEP in providing calorimetric star formation rates for high redshift galaxy populations, thus testing and superseeding previous extrapolations from other wavelengths, and enabling a wide range of galaxy evolution studies.