Optimization of galaxy power spectrum estimation on large scales

• Grant number: 13/26591-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: April 01, 2014
• End date: March 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Astronomy - Extragalactic Astrophysics
• Principal Investigator: Laerte Sodré Junior
• Grantee: Henrique Scemes Xavier
• Host Institution: Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas (IAG). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 11/51680-6 - Exploring the universe: from the galaxies formation to Earth-like planets with the Giant Magellan Telescope, AP.ESP
• Associated scholarship(s): 14/14996-3 - Optimization of galaxy power spectrum estimation on large scales, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

Given the large amounts of data currently available in cosmology and its expected growth in the near future, optimal methods for analysing data are crucial. Galaxy surveys under building phase, including those in which Brazil is involved - the J-PAS and the PFS, for instance - will cover much larger volumes than current surveys and will reach cosmological scales neverprobed before. Although there is a large quantity of methods and strategies for estimating the galaxy power spectrum presented in the literature, there are no detailed studies comparing these methods in a realistic way. Therefore, it is not clear which strategy is optimal, specially for the large scales,high redshifts and particular methods of the upcoming surveys. Our goal is to perform a comparative study using realistic simulations to determine the best analysis method for the large scale distribution of galaxies. (AU)