Infrared Cosmic Background Radiation

Abstract

IR observation of the cosmic background radiation (CBR) is reviewed for the near- and far-IR and submillimeter regions. Diffuse CBR is noted in the redshifted light of first-generation stars, and some isotropic emission is attributed to extragalactic sources. Rocket-experiment data demonstrate the unexpected brightness of the submillimeter CBR related to the 2.74-K blackbody spectrum. A correlation is described between HI-column density and far-IR brightness that includes an uncorrelated component of isotropic emission in the integrated light of distant galactic dust emission. The near-IR data suggest inconsistency with standard concepts for primeval galaxies, and the far-IR data necessitate the introduction of a significant evolution effect. The sub-mm data indicate a significant generation of energy in the early universe. Reference is made to current space observation programs which can shed light on these problematic areas of CBR-related data.