Imaging a Complete Sample of Equatorial comma Star-Forming Galaxies: the Foundation for the Next Generation of Star Formation and ISM Studies

We propose imaging with PACS (70+160 mciron) and SPIRE to ensure fullresolved farinfrared (FIR) spectral energy distribution (SED)coverage of a complete equatorial sample of starforminggalaxies. This sample consists of every equatorial, faceon,starforming galaxy of large angular extent and luminosity larger thanM33. Because of their accessibility to all major facilities,particularly ALMA and the EVLA, these are the natural targets of thenext generation of local galaxy studies. Herschel data are critical toestimate star formation rates, dust masses, and energetics in thesegalaxies and no comparable coverage of the IR SED will be possible inthe foreseeable future. Without our proposed program only 13 of the 67galaxies in this key sample will have high resolution data that spanthe IR peak, hindering studies of the life cycle of dust, dependenceof star formation on host galaxy and local conditions, and developmentof robust calibrations of star formation rate tracers and theCOtoH _2 conversion factor. Observations of this sample thereforewould represent a key part of Herschel.s legacy and significantlyenhance the nearby galaxy science from the next generations ofnorthern and southern telescopes. In order to ensure maximal yieldfrom both Herschel and ALMA/EVLA, we commit to waive our proprietaryperiod and rapidly release our reduced data products. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]