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DOE OSTI2023

Revealing the Galaxy–Halo Connection through Machine Learning

Abstract Understanding the connections between galaxy stellar mass, star formation rate, and dark matter halo mass represents a key goal of the theory of galaxy formation. Cosmological simulations that include hydrodynamics, physical treatments of star formation, feedback from supernovae, and the radiative transfer of ionizing photons can capture the processes relevant for establishing these connections. The complexity of these physics can prove difficult to disentangle and obfuscate how mass-dependent trends in the galaxy population originate. Here, we train a machine-learning method called Explainable Boosting Machines (EBMs) to infer how the stellar mass and star formation rate of nearly 6 million galaxies simulated by the Cosmic Reionization on Computers project depend on the physical properties of halo mass, the peak circular velocity of the galaxy during its formation history v peak , cosmic environment, and redshift. The resulting EBM models reveal the relative importance of these properties in setting galaxy stellar mass and star formation rate, with v peak providing the most dominant contribution. Environmental properties provide substantial improvements for modeling the stellar mass and star formation rate in only ≲10% of the simulated galaxies. We also provide alternative formulations of EBM models that enable low-resolution simulations, which cannot track the interior structure of dark matter halos, to predict the stellar mass and star formation rate of galaxies computed by high-resolution simulations with detailed baryonic physics.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Association between optically identified galaxy clusters and the underlying dark matter halos

Clusters of galaxies trace massive dark matter halos in the Universe, but they can include multiple halos projected along lines of sight. Here, we study the halos contributing to clusters using the Cardinal simulation, which mimics the Dark Energy Survey data. We use the red-sequence-based cluster finding algorithm redMaPPer as a case study. For each cluster, we identify the halos hosting its member galaxies, and we define the main halo as the one contributing the most to the cluster's richness ($λ$, the estimated number of member galaxies). At $z=0.3$, for clusters with $λ> 60$, the main halo typically contributes to $92\%$ of the richness, and this fraction drops to $67\%$ for $λ\approx 20$. Defining "clean" clusters as those with $\geq50\%$ of the richness contributed by the main halo, we find that $100\%$ of the $λ> 60$ clusters are clean, while $73\%$ of the $λ\approx 20$ clusters are clean. Three halos can usually account for more than $80\%$ of the richness of a cluster. The main halos associated with redMaPPer clusters have a completeness ranging from $98\%$ at virial mass $10^{14.6}~h^{-1}M_{\odot}$ to $64\%$ at $10^{14}~h^{-1}M_{\odot}$. In addition, we compare the inferred cluster centers with true halo centers, finding that $30\%$ of the clusters are miscentered with a mean offset $40\%$ of the cluster radii, in agreement with recent X-ray studies. These systematics worsen as redshift increases, but we expect that upcoming surveys extending to longer wavelengths will improve the cluster finding at high redshifts. Our results affirm the robustness of the redMaPPer algorithm and provide a framework for benchmarking other cluster-finding strategies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Optical selection bias and projection effects in stacked galaxy cluster weak lensing

ABSTRACT Cosmological constraints from current and upcoming galaxy cluster surveys are limited by the accuracy of cluster mass calibration. In particular, optically identified galaxy clusters are prone to selection effects that can bias the weak lensing mass calibration. We investigate the selection bias of the stacked cluster lensing signal associated with optically selected clusters, using clusters identified by the redMaPPer algorithm in the Buzzard simulations as a case study. We find that at a given cluster halo mass, the residuals of redMaPPer richness and weak lensing signal are positively correlated. As a result, for a given richness selection, the stacked lensing signal is biased high compared with what we would expect from the underlying halo mass probability distribution. The cluster lensing selection bias can thus lead to overestimated mean cluster mass and biased cosmology results. We show that the lensing selection bias exhibits a strong scale dependence and is approximately 20–60 per cent for ΔΣ at large scales. This selection bias largely originates from spurious member galaxies within ±20–60 $h^{-1}\, \rm Mpc$ along the line of sight, highlighting the importance of quantifying projection effects associated with the broad redshift distribution of member galaxies in photometric cluster surveys. While our results qualitatively agree with those in the literature, accurate quantitative modelling of the selection bias is needed to achieve the goals of cluster lensing cosmology and will require synthetic catalogues covering a wide range of galaxy–halo connection models.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

The Three Hundred Project: Modeling baryon and hot-gas fraction evolution in simulated clusters

The baryon fraction of galaxy clusters, expressed as the ratio between the mass in baryons (including both stars and cold or hot gas) and the total mass, is a powerful tool to provide information on the cosmological parameters, while the hot-gas fraction provides indications on the physics of the intracluster plasma and its interplay with the processes that drive galaxy formation. Using cosmological hydrodynamical simulations of about 300 simulated massive galaxy clusters with a median mass M 500 ≈ 7 × 10 14 M ⊙ at z = 0, we model the relations between total mass and either baryon fraction or the hot gas fractions at overdensities Δ = 2500, 500, and 200 with respect to the cosmic critical density, and their evolution from z ∼ 0 to z ∼ 1.3. We utilized the simulated galaxy clusters from the Three Hundred project, which include star formation and feedback from both supernovae and active galactic nuclei. We fit the simulation results for such scaling relations against three analytic forms (linear, quadratic, and logarithmic in a logarithmic plane) and three forms for the redshift dependence, and we considered as a variable both the inverse of the cosmic scale factor, (1 + z), and the Hubble expansion rate, E(z). We show that power-law dependencies on cluster mass poorly describe the investigated relations. A power law fails to simultaneously capture the flattening of the total baryon and gas fractions at high masses, their drop at low masses, and the transition between these two regimes. The other two functional forms provide a more accurate description of the curvature in mass scaling. The fractions measured within smaller radii exhibit a stronger evolution than those measured within larger radii. From the analysis of these simulations, we evince that as long as we include systems in the mass range herein investigated, the baryon or gas fraction can be accurately related to the total mass through either a parabola or a logarithm in the logarithmic plane. The trends are common to all modern hydro simulations, although the amplitude of the drop at low masses might differ. Being able to observationally determine the gas fraction in groups will thus provide constraints on the baryonic physics.

galaxy clusters↗

DOE OSTI2020

A Wide and Deep Exploration of Radio Galaxies with Subaru HSC (WERGS). III. Discovery of a z = 4.72 Radio Galaxy with the Lyman Break Technique

We report a discovery of a z = 4.72 radio galaxy, HSC J083913.17+011308.1, using the Lyman break technique with the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Survey (HSC-SSP) catalog for Very Large Array Faint Images of the Radio Sky at Twenty centimeter radio sources. The number of known high-z radio galaxies (HzRGs) at z > 3 is quite small to constrain the evolution of HzRGs so far. The deep and wide-area optical survey by HSC-SSP enables us to apply the Lyman break technique to a large search for HzRGs. For an HzRG candidate among pre-selected r-band dropouts with a radio detection, a follow-up optical spectroscopy with the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrographs (GMOS)/Gemini has been performed. The obtained spectrum presents a clear Lyα emission line redshifted to z = 4.72. The spectral energy distribution fitting analysis with the rest-frame UV and optical photometries suggests the massive nature of this HzRG with logM{sub ∗}/M{sub ⊙}=11.4. The small equivalent width of Lyα and the moderately red UV colors indicate its dusty host galaxy, implying a chemically evolved and dusty system. The radio spectral index does not meet a criterion for an ultra-steep spectrum, α{sub 1400}{sup 325} of −1.1 and α{sub 1400}{sup 150} of −0.9, demonstrating that the HSC-SSP survey compensates for a subpopulation of HzRGs that are missed in surveys focusing on an ultra-steep spectral index.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2020

Cross-correlating Planck with VST ATLAS LRGs: a new test for the ISW effect in the Southern hemisphere

ABSTRACT The integrated Sachs–Wolfe (ISW) effect probes the late-time expansion history of the Universe, offering direct constraints on dark energy. Here, we present our measurements of the ISW signal at redshifts of $\bar{z}=0.35$, 0.55, and 0.68, using the cross-correlation of the Planck cosmic microwave background temperature map with ∼0.5 million luminous red galaxies (LRGs) selected from the VST ATLAS survey. We then combine these with previous measurements based on WMAP and similar SDSS LRG samples, providing a total sample of ∼2.1 million LRGs covering ∼12 000 deg2 of sky. At $\bar{z}=0.35$ and $\bar{z}=0.55$, we detect the ISW signal at 1.2σ and 2.3σ (or 2.6σ combined), in agreement with the predictions of lambda cold dark matter (ΛCDM). We verify these results by repeating the measurements using the BOSS LOWZ and CMASS, spectroscopically confirmed LRG samples. We also detect the ISW effect in three magnitude limited ATLAS + SDSS galaxy samples extending to z ≈ 0.4 at ∼2σ per sample. However, we do not detect the ISW signal at $\bar{z}=0.68$ when combining the ATLAS and SDSS results. Further tests using spectroscopically confirmed eBOSS LRGs at this redshift remain inconclusive due to the current low sky coverage of the survey. If the ISW signal is shown to be redshift dependent in a manner inconsistent with the predictions of ΛCDM, it could open the door to alternative theories such as modified gravity. It is therefore important to repeat the high-redshift ISW measurement using the completed eBOSS sample, as well as deeper upcoming surveys such as DESI and LSST.

Ansarinejad, Behzad↗

DOE OSTI2025

Beyond traditional diagnostics: Identifying active galactic nuclei using spectral energy distribution fitting in DESI data

Active galactic nuclei (AGN) are typically identified through their distinctive X-ray or radio emissions, mid-infrared (MIR) colors, or emission lines. However, each method captures different subsets of AGN due to signal-to-noise (S/N) limitations, redshift coverage, and extinction effects, underscoring the necessity for a multiwavelength approach for comprehensive AGN samples. This study explores the effectiveness of spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting as a robust method for AGN identification. Using CIGALE optical-MIR SED fits on DESI Early Data Release galaxies, we compare SED-based AGN selection (AGNFRAC ≥ 0.1) with traditional methods including BPT diagrams, WISE colors, X-ray, and radio diagnostics. The SED fitting identifies ∼70% of narrow- and broad-line AGN and 87% of WISE-selected AGN. Incorporating high S/N WISE photometry reduces star-forming galaxy contamination from 62% to 15%. Initially, ∼50% of SED-AGN candidates are undetected by standard methods, but additional diagnostics classify ∼85% of these sources, revealing low-ionization nuclear emission-line regions and retired galaxies potentially representing evolved systems with weak AGN activity. Further spectroscopic and multiwavelength analysis will be essential to determine the true AGN nature of these sources. SED fitting provides complementary AGN identification, unifying multiwavelength AGN selections. This approach enables more complete – albeit somewhat contaminated – AGN samples, which are essential for upcoming large-scale surveys where spectroscopic diagnostics may be limited.

Seyfert↗

DOE OSTI2025

Tripling the Census of Dwarf AGN Candidates Using DESI Early Data

Using early data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) survey, we search for active galactic nuclei (AGN) signatures in 410,757 line-emitting galaxies. By employing the BPT emission-line ratio diagnostic diagram, we identify AGNs in 75,928/296,261 (≈25.6%) high-mass ($\mathrm{log}({M}_{\star }/{M}_{\odot })\,\gt$ 9.5) and 2444/114,496 (≈2.1%) dwarf ($\mathrm{log}({M}_{\star }/{M}_{\odot })\,\leqslant$ 9.5) galaxies. Of these AGN candidates, 4181 sources exhibit a broad Hα component, allowing us to estimate their BH masses via virial techniques. This study more than triples the census of dwarf AGNs and doubles the number of intermediate-mass black hole (M BH ≤ 10 6 M ⊙ ) candidates, spanning a broad discovery space in stellar mass (7 $\lt \mathrm{log}({M}_{\star }/{M}_{\odot })\,\lt$ 12) and redshift (0.001 < z < 0.45). The observed AGN fraction in dwarf galaxies (≈2.1%) is nearly four times higher than prior estimates, primarily due to DESI’s smaller fiber size, which enables the detection of lower-luminosity dwarf AGN candidates. We also extend the M BH –M⋆ scaling relation down to ${\rm{log}}({M}_{\star }/{M}_{\odot })\,\approx$ 8.5 and $\mathrm{log}({M}_{\mathrm{BH}}/{M}_{\odot })\,\approx$ 4.4, with our results aligning well with previous low-redshift studies. The large statistical sample of dwarf AGN candidates from current and future DESI releases will be invaluable for enhancing our understanding of galaxy evolution at the low-mass end of the galaxy mass function.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Early results in the search for extreme coronal line emitters with the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument

Here, we present the results of our search through the early data release (EDR) of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) for extreme coronal line emitters (ECLEs) – a rare classification of galaxies displaying strong, high-ionization iron coronal emission lines within their spectra. With the requirement of a strong X-ray continuum to generate the coronal emission, ECLEs have been linked to both active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and tidal disruption events (TDEs). We focus our search on identifying TDE-linked ECLEs. We identify three such objects within the EDR sample, highlighting DESI’s effectiveness for discovering new nuclear transients, and determine a galaxy-normalized TDE-linked ECLE rate of RG=5 −3+5×10−6 galaxy−1 yr−1 at a median redshift of z=0.2 – broadly consistent with previous work. Additionally, we identify more than 200 AGNs displaying coronal emission lines, which serve as the primary astrophysical contaminants in searches for TDE-related events. We also include an outline of the custom python code developed for this search.

Clark, Peter [Southampton U.; Portsmouth U., ICG] ↗

DOE OSTI2026

Electron temperature relations and the direct N, O, Ne, S, and Ar abundances of 49 959 star-forming galaxies in DESI data release 2

We present the largest direct-method abundance catalogue of galaxies to date, containing measurements of 49 959 star-forming galaxies at z<0.96 from DESI (Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument) data release 2. By directly measuring electron temperatures across multiple ionization zones, we provide constraints on a number of electron temperature relations. Using the temperature measurements, we derive reliable abundances for N, O, Ne, S, and Ar, and measure the evolution of abundances and abundance ratios of as a function of metallicity and other galaxy properties. Our measurements include direct oxygen abundances for 49 507 galaxies, leading to the discovery of the two most metal-poor galaxies in the nearby Universe, with oxygen abundances of 12+log⁡(O/H)=6.77−0.03+0.03 dex (1.2 per cent Z⊙⁠) and 12+log⁡(O/H)=6.81−0.04+0.04 dex (1.3 per cent Z⊙⁠). We identify a rare outlier population of 24 galaxies with high-N/O ratios at low metallicity, reminiscent of galaxy abundances observed in the early Universe. We find the Ne/O ratio is constant at low metallicity but increases gradually at 12+log(O/H)>8.105±0.004 dex. We show that the S/O and Ar/O abundance ratios are strongly correlated, consistent with the expected additional Type Ia enrichment channel for S and Ar. In this work, we present an initial survey of the key properties of the sample, with this data set serving as a foundation for extensive future work on galaxy abundances at low redshift.

Scholte, D. [Edinburgh U., Inst. Astron.] (ORCID:0↗

DOE OSTI2024

The Atacama Cosmology Telescope DR6 and DESI: structure formation over cosmic time with a measurement of the cross-correlation of CMB lensing and luminous red galaxies

We present a high-significance cross-correlation of CMB lensing maps from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) Data Release 6 (DR6) with luminous red galaxies (LRGs) from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Legacy Survey spectroscopically calibrated by DESI. We detect this cross-correlation at a significance of 38σ; combining our measurement with the Planck Public Release 4 (PR4) lensing map, we detect the cross-correlation at 50σ. Fitting this jointly with the galaxy auto-correlation power spectrum to break the galaxy bias degeneracy with σ 8 , we perform a tomographic analysis in four LRG redshift bins spanning 0.4 ≤ z ≤ 1.0 to constrain the amplitude of matter density fluctuations through the parameter combination S 8 × = σ 8 (Ω m / 0.3) 0.4 . Prior to unblinding, we confirm with extragalactic simulations that foreground biases are negligible and carry out a comprehensive suite of null and consistency tests. Using a hybrid effective field theory (HEFT) model that allows scales as small as k max = 0.6 h/ Mpc, we obtain a 3.3% constraint on S 8 × = σ 8 (Ω m / 0.3) 0.4 = 0.792 +0.024 -0.028 from ACT data, as well as constraints on S 8 × (z) that probe structure formation over cosmic time. Our result is consistent with the early-universe extrapolation from primary CMB anisotropies measured by Planck PR4 within 1.2σ. Jointly fitting ACT and Planck lensing cross-correlations we obtain a 2.7% constraint of S 8 × = 0.776 +0.019 -0.021 , which is consistent with the Planck early-universe extrapolation within 2.1σ, with the lowest redshift bin showing the largest difference in mean. The latter may motivate further CMB lensing tomography analyses at z < 0.6 to assess the impact of potential systematics or the consistency of the ΛCDM model over cosmic time.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2026

The S-PLUS Fifth Data Release: Over 4500 Square Degrees of the Southern Sky and a Multicolor View of the Hydra and Antlia Galaxy Clusters

Abstract We present the fifth data release (DR5) of the Southern Photometric Local Universe Survey (S-PLUS), covering 4592 deg 2 across 2491 fields. Observations were conducted with the T80-South, a Brazilian robotic telescope equipped with the Javalambre 12-filter system, containing five broadband and seven narrowband filters. Data products feature FITS images and extensive catalogs containing fluxes, magnitudes, and shape parameters for over 113 million detections. In addition, several value-added catalogs are provided, offering photometric redshifts (photo- zs ), object classifications, masks, and extinction coefficients. For the first time, this release includes coverage of 110 deg 2 along the Galactic disk, facilitating new research into Galactic structure and stellar populations. The release also provides full coverage of the Hydra Supercluster and numerous other nearby clusters with improved data reduction and calibration, enhancing photo- z accuracy, which is vital for large-scale structure studies. A preliminary analysis of the Hydra and Antlia galaxy clusters up to 5 × R 200 yields an updated catalog of 1706 cluster members based on both spectroscopic and high-quality photo- zs . Our photometric data shows that both clusters have a similar proportion of galaxies with an H α excess relative to their clustercentric distance, though Hydra has a higher fraction near its center. Additionally, the spatial distribution of all objects in our sample highlights a bridge connecting both clusters. We verify that S-PLUS DR5 provides a solid foundation for future scientific investigations, ranging from solar system studies to cosmology.

Vinicius Rodrigues de Lima, Erik [Universidade de ↗

DOE OSTI2024

Image Deconvolution and Point-spread Function Reconstruction with STARRED: A Wavelet-based Two-channel Method Optimized for Light-curve Extraction

We present starred, a point-spread function (PSF) reconstruction, two-channel deconvolution, and light-curve extraction method designed for high-precision photometric measurements in imaging time series. An improved resolution of the data is targeted rather than an infinite one, thereby minimizing deconvolution artifacts. In addition, starred performs a joint deconvolution of all available data, accounting for epoch-to-epoch variations of the PSF and decomposing the resulting deconvolved image into a point source and an extended source channel. The output is a high-signal-to-noise-ratio, high-resolution frame combining all data and the photometry of all point sources in the field of view as a function of time. Of note, starred also provides exquisite PSF models for each data frame. We showcase three applications of starred in the context of the imminent LSST survey and of JWST imaging: (i) the extraction of supernovae light curves and the scene representation of their host galaxy; (ii) the extraction of lensed quasar light curves for time-delay cosmography; and (iii) the measurement of the spectral energy distribution of globular clusters in the "Sparkler," a galaxy at redshift z = 1.378 strongly lensed by the galaxy cluster SMACS J0723.3-7327. starred is implemented in jax, leveraging automatic differentiation and graphics processing unit acceleration. This enables the rapid processing of large time-domain data sets, positioning the method as a powerful tool for extracting light curves from the multitude of lensed or unlensed variable and transient objects in the Rubin-LSST data, even when blended with intervening objects.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Constraints on the origin of the radio synchrotron background via angular correlations

ABSTRACT The origin of the radio synchrotron background (RSB) is currently unknown. Its understanding might have profound implications in fundamental physics or might reveal a new class of radio emitters. In this work, we consider the scenario in which the RSB is due to extragalactic radio sources and measure the angular cross-correlation of Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR) images of the diffuse radio sky with matter tracers at different redshifts, provided by galaxy catalogues and cosmic microwave background lensing. We compare these measured cross-correlations to those expected for models of RSB sources. We find that low-redshift populations of discrete sources are excluded by the data, while higher redshift explanations are compatible with available observations. We also conclude that at least 20 per cent of the RSB surface brightness level must originate from populations tracing the large-scale distribution of matter in the Universe, indicating that at least this fraction of the RSB is of extragalactic origin. Future measurements of the correlation between the RSB and tracers of high-redshift sources will be crucial to constraining the source population of the RSB.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2020

Velocity Dispersions of Massive Quiescent Galaxies from Weak Lensing and Spectroscopy

We use MMT spectroscopy and deep Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) imaging to compare the spectroscopic central stellar velocity dispersion of quiescent galaxies with the effective dispersion of the dark matter halo derived from the stacked lensing signal. The spectroscopic survey (the Smithsonian Hectospec Lensing Survey) provides a sample of 4585 quiescent galaxy lenses with measured line-of-sight central stellar velocity dispersion ($\sigma_{\rm SHELS}$) that is more than 85\% complete for $R < 20.6$, $D_{n}4000> 1.5$ and $M_{\star} > 10^{9.5}{\rm M}_{\odot}$.The median redshift of the sample of lenses is 0.32. We measure the stacked lensing signal from the HSC deep imaging. The central stellar velocity dispersion is directly proportional to the velocity dispersion derived from the lensing $\sigma_{\rm Lens}$, $\sigma_{\rm Lens} = (1.05\pm0.15)\sigma_{\rm SHELS}+(-21.17\pm35.19)$. The independent spectroscopic and weak lensing velocity dispersions probe different scales, $\sim3$kpc and $\gtrsim$ 100 kpc, respectively, and strongly indicate that the observable central stellar velocity dispersion for quiescent galaxies is a good proxy for the velocity dispersion of the dark matter halo. We thus demonstrate the power of combining high-quality imaging and spectroscopy to shed light on the connection between galaxies and their dark matter halos.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Real-time discovery of AT2020xnd: a fast, luminous ultraviolet transient with minimal radioactive ejecta

ABSTRACT The many unusual properties of the enigmatic AT2018cow suggested that at least some subset of the empirical class of fast blue optical transients (FBOTs) represents a genuinely new astrophysical phenomenon. Unfortunately, the intrinsic rarity and fleeting nature of these events have made it difficult to identify additional examples early enough to acquire the observations necessary to constrain theoretical models. We present here the Zwicky Transient Facility discovery of AT2020xnd (ZTF20acigmel, the ‘Camel’) at z = 0.243, the first unambiguous AT2018cow analogue to be found and confirmed in real time. AT2018cow and AT2020xnd share all key observational properties: a fast optical rise, sustained high photospheric temperature, absence of a second peak attributable to ejection of a radioactively heated stellar envelope, extremely luminous radio, millimetre, and X-ray emission, and a dwarf-galaxy host. This supports the argument that AT2018cow-like events represent a distinct phenomenon from slower-evolving radio-quiet supernovae, likely requiring a different progenitor or a different central engine. The sample properties of the four known members of this class to date disfavour tidal disruption models but are consistent with the alternative model of an accretion powered jet following the direct collapse of a massive star to a black hole. Contextual filtering of alert streams combined with rapid photometric verification using multiband imaging provides an efficient way to identify future members of this class, even at high redshift.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Velocity reconstruction in the era of DESI and Rubin/LSST. II. Realistic samples on the light cone

Reconstructing the galaxy peculiar velocity field from the distribution of large-scale structure plays an important role in cosmology. On one hand, it gives us an insight into structure formation and gravity; on the other, it allows us to selectively extract the kinetic Sunyaev-Zel’dovich (kSZ) effect from cosmic microwave background maps. In this work, we employ high-accuracy synthetic galaxy catalogs on the light cone to investigate how well we can recover the velocity field when utilizing the three-dimensional spatial distribution of the galaxies in a modern large-scale structure experiment such as the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) and the Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time. In particular, we adopt the standard technique used in baryon acoustic oscillation analysis for reconstructing the Zel’dovich displacements of galaxies through the continuity equation, which yields a first-order approximation to their large-scale velocities. We investigate variations in the number density, bias, mask, area, redshift noise, and survey depth, as well as modifications to the settings of the standard reconstruction algorithm. Since our main goal is to provide guidance for planned kSZ analysis between DESI and the Atacama Cosmology Telescope, we apply velocity reconstruction to a faithful representation of DESI spectroscopic and photometric targets. We report the cross-correlation coefficient between the reconstructed and the true velocities along the line of sight. For the DESI Y1 spectroscopic survey, we expect the correlation coefficient to be r ≈ 0.64, while for a photometric survey with δ z /(1+z) = 0.02, as is approximately the case for the Legacy Survey used in the target selection of DESI galaxies, r shrinks by half to r ≈ 0.31. Here, we hope the results in this paper can be used to inform future kSZ stacking studies and other velocity reconstruction analyses planned with the next generation of cosmology experiments.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Dark Energy Survey Y3 results: blending shear and redshift biases in image simulations

ABSTRACT As the statistical power of galaxy weak lensing reaches per cent level precision, large, realistic, and robust simulations are required to calibrate observational systematics, especially given the increased importance of object blending as survey depths increase. To capture the coupled effects of blending in both shear and photometric redshift calibration, we define the effective redshift distribution for lensing, nγ(z), and describe how to estimate it using image simulations. We use an extensive suite of tailored image simulations to characterize the performance of the shear estimation pipeline applied to the Dark Energy Survey (DES) Year 3 data set. We describe the multiband, multi-epoch simulations, and demonstrate their high level of realism through comparisons to the real DES data. We isolate the effects that generate shear calibration biases by running variations on our fiducial simulation, and find that blending-related effects are the dominant contribution to the mean multiplicative bias of approximately $-2{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$. By generating simulations with input shear signals that vary with redshift, we calibrate biases in our estimation of the effective redshift distribution, and demonstrate the importance of this approach when blending is present. We provide corrected effective redshift distributions that incorporate statistical and systematic uncertainties, ready for use in DES Year 3 weak lensing analyses.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗