University of Sussex
Browse
Synthetic Galaxy Clusters - K Romer Apr 2022.pdf (11.09 MB)

Synthetic galaxy clusters and observations based on Dark Energy Survey year 3 data

Download (11.09 MB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 03:10 authored by T N Varga, D Gruen, S Seitz, N MacCrann, E Sheldon, W G Hartley, A Amon, A Choi, A Palmese, Y Zhang, M R Becker, J McCullough, E Rozo, Sunayana Bhargava, Kathy RomerKathy Romer, DES Collaboration, others
We develop a novel data-driven method for generating synthetic optical observations of galaxy clusters. In cluster weak lensing, the interplay between analysis choices and systematic effects related to source galaxy selection, shape measurement, and photometric redshift estimation can be best characterized in end-to-end tests going from mock observations to recovered cluster masses. To create such test scenarios, we measure and model the photometric properties of galaxy clusters and their sky environments from the Dark Energy Survey Year 3 (DES Y3) data in two bins of cluster richness ??[30;45)?, ??[45;60) and three bins in cluster redshift (?z?[0.3;0.35)?, z?[0.45;0.5) and z?[0.6;0.65)?. Using deep-field imaging data, we extrapolate galaxy populations beyond the limiting magnitude of DES Y3 and calculate the properties of cluster member galaxies via statistical background subtraction. We construct mock galaxy clusters as random draws from a distribution function, and render mock clusters and line-of-sight catalogues into synthetic images in the same format as actual survey observations. Synthetic galaxy clusters are generated from real observational data, and thus are independent from the assumptions inherent to cosmological simulations. The recipe can be straightforwardly modified to incorporate extra information, and correct for survey incompleteness. New realizations of synthetic clusters can be created at minimal cost, which will allow future analyses to generate the large number of images needed to characterize systematic uncertainties in cluster mass measurements.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

ISSN

0035-8711

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Issue

4

Volume

509

Page range

4865-4885

Department affiliated with

  • Physics and Astronomy Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Astronomy Centre Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2022-04-20

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2022-04-20

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2022-04-13

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC