Investigations of 2- and 3- point Intrinsic Alignments of Galaxies (II, GI, III, GGI, GII) and their Isolation in Current and Future Lensing Surveys

University Of Texas At Dallas, Richardson TX

Investigators

Abstract

The objective of this research is to address intrinsic alignment systematics in weak lensing studies, which are used along with galaxy surveys to assess the large-scale mass distribution of the universe (including dark matter). The results will be important in the future for studies by the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST). Broader impacts of the work include training of a graduate student, engaging in research projects that incorporate women in physics and summer students from high schools, and workshop talks for high school teachers and general public talks on cosmology. The work will addresses systematic errors that arise from a variety of intrinsic alignments in weak lensing studies. The aim is to develop and analyze 2-pt and 3-pt intrinsic alignment measures from theory, simulations, and from actual measurements from the CFHTLenS and VIPERS galaxy surveys.