Measuring the Dust Attenuation Curves of SINGS/KINGFISH Galaxies Using Swift/UVOT Photometry

Abstract We present Swift/Ultraviolet Optical Telescope (UVOT) integrated light photometry of the Spitzer Infrared Nearby Galaxies Survey (SINGS) and Key Insights on Galaxies: A Far-Infrared with Herschel (KINGFISH) samples nearby galaxies. Combining Swift/UVOT data archival photometry, we investigate a variety dust attenuation curves derived using MCSED , flexible spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting code. fit panchromatic three different star formation history (SFH) parameterizations: decaying exponential, double power law, piecewise function breaks at physically motivated ages. find that average law sample changes slightly based SFH assumed. Specifically, exponential leads to shallowest curves. Using simulated data, also fails outperform more complex SFHs. Finally, systematic offset in bump strength between SED fits without UVOT where inclusion smaller strengths, highlighting importance data. This discrepancy is not seen mock photometry. Understanding local universe key understanding high-redshift objects rest-frame far-infrared are unavailable.