Simulating observational effects in faint galaxy samples.

P Bristow*, S Phillipps

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Using Monte Carlo style simulations of galaxy populations we create artificial faint galaxy samples which mimic those obtained by actual observational techniques. By comparison of samples selected according to total luminosity or luminosity within an isophote we are able to estimate the extent to which isophotal effects could cause number magnitude counts of faint galaxies to appear artificially steep. We find that isophotal effects alone cannot account for the discrepancy between the observed steepness and no-evolution models, though they could significantly reduce the amount of evolution required and alter the median redshifts. Further development of the simulation software allows us to produce simulated CCD frames, taking full account of observational conditions, which may be examined with the same image detection and photometry software as is applied to real observational data. This provides a route from intrinsic galaxy population models to apparent diagnostics (such as number counts) which comprehensively allows for selection effects.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)387-391
Number of pages5
JournalAstrophysical Letters and Communications
Volume36
Issue number1-6
Publication statusPublished - 1997
EventWorkshop on Observational Cosmology - From Galaxies to Galaxy Systems - BOLZANO, Italy
Duration: 4 Jul 19957 Jul 1995

Keywords

  • CCD OBSERVATIONS
  • NUMBER COUNTS
  • MAG

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