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A. J. Hawken

Publications and source records attributed to A. J. Hawken.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Euclid: Forecasts from the void-lensing cross-correlation

The Euclid space telescope will survey a large dataset of cosmic voids traced by dense samples of galaxies. In this work we estimate its expected performance when exploiting angular photometric void clustering, galaxy weak lensing and their cross-correlation. To this aim, we implement a Fisher matrix approach tailored for voids from the Euclid photometric dataset and present the first forecasts on cosmological parameters that include the void-lensing correlation. We examine two different probe settings, pessimistic and optimistic, both for void clustering and galaxy lensing. We carry out forecast analyses in four model cosmologies, accounting for a varying total neutrino mass, $M_ν$, and a dynamical dark energy (DE) equation of state, $w(z)$, described by the CPL parametrisation. We find that void clustering constraints on $h$ and $Ω_b$ are competitive with galaxy lensing alone, while errors on $n_s$ decrease thanks to the orthogonality of the two probes in the 2D-projected parameter space. We also note that, as a whole, the inclusion of the void-lensing cross-correlation signal improves parameter constraints by $10-15\%$, and enhances the joint void clustering and galaxy lensing Figure of Merit (FoM) by $10\%$ and $25\%$, in the pessimistic and optimistic scenarios, respectively. Finally, when further combining with the spectroscopic galaxy clustering, assumed as an independent probe, we find that, in the most competitive case, the FoM increases by a factor of 4 with respect to the combination of weak lensing and spectroscopic galaxy clustering taken as independent probes. The forecasts presented in this work show that photometric void-clustering and its cross-correlation with galaxy lensing deserve to be exploited in the data analysis of the Euclid galaxy survey and promise to improve its constraining power, especially on $h$, $Ω_b$, the neutrino mass, and the DE evolution.

astro-ph.CO

Peculiar velocity cosmology with type Ia supernovae

Type Ia Supernovae have yet again the opportunity to revolutionize the field of cosmology as the new generation of surveys are acquiring thousands of nearby SNeIa opening a new era in cosmology: the direct measurement of the growth of structure parametrized by $fD$. This method is based on the SNeIa peculiar velocities derived from the residual to the Hubble law as direct tracers of the full gravitational potential caused by large scale structure. With this technique, we could probe not only the properties of dark energy, but also the laws of gravity. In this paper we present the analytical framework and forecasts. We show that ZTF and LSST will be able to reach 5\% precision on $fD$ by 2027. Our analysis is not significantly sensitive to photo-typing, but known selection functions and spectroscopic redshifts are mandatory. We finally introduce an idea of a dedicated spectrograph that would get all the required information in addition to boost the efficiency to each SNeIa so that we could reach the 5\% precision within the first two years of LSST operation and the few percent level by the end of the survey.

astro-ph.CO

The VIMOS Public Extragalactic Redshift Survey (VIPERS) -- Environment-size relation of massive passive galaxies at 0.5 < z < 0.8

We use the statistics of the VIPERS survey to investigate the relation between the surface mean stellar mass density Sigma=Mstar/(2*pi*Re^2) of massive passive galaxies (MPGs, Mstar>10^11 Msun) and their environment in the redshift range 0.5 2*10^11 Msun, we find an excess of MPGs with low Sigma and a deficit of high-Sigma MPGs in the densest regions wrt other environments. We interpret this result as due to the migration of some high-Sigma MPGs (<1% of the total population of MPGs) into low-Sigma MPGs, probably through mergers or cannibalism of small satellites. In summary, our results imply that the accretion of satellite galaxies has a marginal role in the mass-assembly history of most MPGs. We have previously found that the number density of VIPERS massive star-forming galaxies (MSFGs) declines rapidily from z=0.8 to z=0.5, which mirrors the rapid increase in the number density of MPGs. This indicates that the MSFGs at z>0.8 migrate to the MPG population. Here, we investigate the Sigma-delta relation of MSFGs at z>0.8 and find that it is consistent within 1 sigma with that of low-Sigma MPGs at z<0.8. Thus, the results of this and our previous paper show that MSFGs at z>0.8 are consistent in terms of number and environment with being the progenitors of low-Sigma MPGs at z<0.8.

astro-ph.GA

Measuring the Universe with galaxy redshift surveys

Galaxy redshift surveys are one of the pillars of the current standard cosmological model and remain a key tool in the experimental effort to understand the origin of cosmic acceleration. To this end, the next generation of surveys aim at achieving sub-percent precision in the measurement of the equation of state of dark energy $w(z)$ and the growth rate of structure $f(z)$. This however requires comparable control over systematic errors, stressing the need for improved modelling methods. In this contribution we review at the introductory level some highlights of the work done in this direction by the {\it Darklight} project. Supported by an ERC Advanced Grant, {\it Darklight} developed novel techniques for clustering analysis, which were tested through numerical simulations before being finally applied to galaxy data as in particular those of the recently completed VIPERS redshift survey. We focus in particular on: (a) advances on estimating the growth rate of structure from redshift-space distortions; (b) parameter estimation through global Bayesian reconstruction of the density field from survey data; (c) impact of massive neutrinos on large-scale structure measurements. Overall, {\it Darklight} has contributed to paving the way for forthcoming high-precision experiments, such as {\it Euclid}, the next ESA cosmological mission.

astro-ph.CO

The VIMOS Public Extragalactic Redshift Survey (VIPERS). AGN feedback in [NeV] emitters

Using an unconventional single line diagnostic that unambiguously identifies AGNs in composite galaxies we report statistical differences in the properties (stellar age, [OII] luminosity, colour) between active and inactive galaxies at 0.62<z<1.2 extracted from the VIMOS Public Extragalactic Redshift Survey (VIPERS). The nuclear activity is probed by the high-ionization [NeV] emission line and along with their parent samples, the galaxies are properly selected according to their stellar mass, redshift, and colour distributions. We report younger underlying stellar ages and higher [OII] luminosities of active galaxies in the green valley and in the blue cloud compared to control samples. We observe higher fractions of green galaxies hosting AGN activity at progressively bluer (r-K) colours. Depending on the location of the host galaxy in the NUVrK colour diagram we find higher AGN fractions in massive blue galaxies and in the least massive red galaxies, in agreement with the picture that black holes vary their properties when hosted in either star-forming or passive galaxies. Exactly where the fast quenching processes are expected to play a role, we identify a novel class of active galaxies in the blue cloud with signatures typical for a suddenly suppression of their star formation activity after a burst happening in the recent past. Their optical spectra resemble those of post-starburst galaxies, that would never be identified in a spectroscopic search using classical selection techniques. Broadly, these active galaxies selected on the [NeV] line are not commonly represented in shallow X-ray, mid-IR, or classical line diagnostics. If we consider that our results are limited by the shallow observational limits and rapid AGN variability, the impact of AGN feedback on galaxy formation and evolution may represent an important channel of fast-transiting galaxies moving to the red sequence.

astro-ph.GA

The VIMOS Public Extragalactic Redshift Survey: Measuring the growth rate of structure around cosmic voids

We identified voids in the completed VIMOS Public Extragalactic Redshift Survey (VIPERS), using an algorithm based on searching for empty spheres. We measured the cross-correlation between the centres of voids and the complete galaxy catalogue. The cross-correlation function exhibits a clear anisotropy in both VIPERS fields (W1 and W4), which is characteristic of linear redshift space distortions. By measuring the projected cross-correlation and then deprojecting it we are able to estimate the undistorted cross-correlation function. We propose that given a sufficiently well measured cross-correlation function one should be able to measure the linear growth rate of structure by applying a simple linear Gaussian streaming model for the redshift space distortions (RSD). Our study of voids in 306 mock galaxy catalogues mimicking the VIPERS fields would suggest that VIPERS is capable of measuring $β$ with an error of around $25\%$. Applying our method to the VIPERS data, we find a value for the redshift space distortion parameter, $β= 0.423^{+0.104}_{-0.108}$, which given the bias of the galaxy population we use gives a linear growth rate of $fσ_8 = 0.296^{+0.075}_{-0.078}$ at $z = 0.727$. These results are consistent with values observed in parallel VIPERS analysis using standard techniques.

astro-ph.CO

The VIMOS Public Extragalactic Redshift Survey - Searching for Cosmic Voids

The characterisation of cosmic voids gives unique information about the large-scale distribution of galaxies, their evolution and the cosmological model. We identify and characterise cosmic voids in the VIMOS Public Extragalactic Redshift Survey (VIPERS) at redshift 0.55 < z < 0.9. A new void search method is developed based upon the identification of empty spheres that fit between galaxies. The method can be used to characterise the cosmic voids despite the presence of complex survey boundaries and internal gaps. We investigate the impact of systematic observational effects and validate the method against mock catalogues. We measure the void size distribution and the void-galaxy correlation function. We construct a catalogue of voids in VIPERS. The distribution of voids is found to agree well with the distribution of voids found in mock catalogues. The void-galaxy correlation function shows indications of outflow velocity from the voids.

astro-ph.CO

Calibrating the BAO scale using the CMB: Lifting the degeneracy between geometric and dynamic distortions using the sound horizon from the CMB

The degeneracy between geometric (Alcock-Paczynski) and dynamic (redshift space) distortions in the pattern of the galaxy distribution has been a long standing problem in the study of the large scale structure of the universe. We examine the possibility of lifting this degeneracy and constraining cosmological parameters by using the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) scale as a feature of known physical size, the sound horizon r_s ~ 150 Mpc. We callibrate this scale with the equivalent feature in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). First, we construct a toy model of a power spectrum which includes the BAO as well as geometric and dynamic distortions. By adding a prior onto the sound horizon of ~1% we show, using a Fisher matrix analysis, that error ellipses for line of sight and tangential distortion parameters shrink by a factor of two for a 20(Gpc/h)^3 `DESpec/BigBOSS'-like galaxy survey including shot noise. This improvement is even more marked in smaller surveys. We also carry out a Monte Carlo Nested Sampling analysis on our parameter space. We find that Monte Carlo and Fisher methods can agree reasonably well for surveys with large volume but differ greatly for small volume surveys.

astro-ph.CO

Gravitational Flexion by Elliptical Dark Matter Haloes

We present equations for the gravitational lensing flexion expected for an elliptical lens mass distribution. These can be reduced to one-dimensional finite integrals, thus saving significant computing time over a full two-dimensional calculation. We estimate constraints on galaxy halo ellipticities for a range of potential future surveys, finding that the constraints from the two different types of flexion are comparable and are up to two orders of magnitude tighter than those from shear. Flexion therefore appears to be a very promising potential tool for constraining the shapes of galaxy haloes from future surveys.

astro-ph.CO