The SDSS density field and the morphology of the supercluster-void network

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Volker Müller
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2010 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 166741232

The new Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 (SDSS DR7) covers a large compact part of the northern sky of 7500 deg2. This data will be used for an analysis of the morphology of large-scale overdense and underdense regions in the Universe. In particular, we will derive galaxy properties and their dependence on the environment. Previously, we have analysed special structures such as superclusters, groups, and voids in smaller data sets. Based on this experience and on tests with galaxy mock samples, we expect a new quality level and precision of the results. Starting from a derivation of a continuous density field for the complete magnitude limited sample, we shall use Minkowski functionals and correlation functions marked with galaxy magnitude and color for the structure analysis. Additionally, we will compare with mock samples of semianalytical galaxy catalogues from large cosmological simulations, such as the Millenium and our own simulations, together with semianalytical galaxy formation recipies on large box sizes to interpret the data. We will make predictions for the forthcoming new observational projects BOSS (Baryon-Oscillation-experiment at Sloan-Survey) and HETDEX (Hobby-Eberly-Telescope Dark Energy Experiment).

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Matthias Steinmetz