WFIRST: Simulating and Analyzing Wide Field, High-Resolution Images of Nearby Galaxies
Abstract
The large field of view, high sensitivity, and high spatial resolution of WFIRST at 0.5~2.0μm will enable the study of the stellar contents and halo substructures of galaxies at 1~10 Mpc in unprecedented detail. We are producing realistic simulated multi-band WFI imaging data by combining synthetic stellar population and observed background galaxy catalogs. We use these catalogs as input to the the Space Telescope Image Product Simulator (STIPS) to produce images with the detector and optics characteristics expected for the Wide Field Imager. Furthermore, we are developing software to measure the photometric properties of the simulated objects in the STIPS images using DOLPHOT. This suite of tools is beginning to provide end-to-end simulations of WFIRST nearby galaxy observations and analysis. We present preliminary evaluations of WFIRST's scientific capabilities based on statistical analysis of early simulations, and discuss the advantages of simultaneously developing image simulation and data analysis capabilities as WFIRST's instrumental designs are finalized.
- Publication:
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American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #231
- Pub Date:
- January 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018AAS...23115040K