Bayesian Analysis of Large Scale Structure
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
The large-scale distribution of galaxies in the Universe provides valuable information on the state and nature of the Universe, including encoded information on Dark Energy and possible deviations from Einstein's general theory of relativity. To make correct inferences from the data requires a careful statistical approach, accounting for a number of effects that impact in subtle ways on the data. We will develop Bayesian hierarchical models of the data, to include the effects of non-gaussianity from nonlinear evolution, and possible departures from General Relativity. These techniques can be applied to current data, but will also be preparation for much better data to come from ESA's Euclid satellite.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Alan Heavens (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Daniel Jones (Student) |
Publications
Jones D
(2019)
Bayesian photometric redshifts of blended sources
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jones D
(2019)
Gaussian mixture models for blended photometric redshifts
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST/N504336/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2021 | |||
| 1708326 | Studentship | ST/N504336/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2019 | Daniel Jones |
| Title | blendz - Python library for inferring Bayesian photometric redshifts of blended sources |
| Description | blendz is a Python library allowing the user to infer the photometric redshifts of an arbitrary number of galaxies blended into a single source. It also uses Bayesian model selection techniques to allow blended sources to be identified from their aperture photometry. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Open Source License? | Yes |
| Impact | This software implements the method described in the paper "Bayesian Photometric Redshifts of Blended Sources" (Jones and Heavens, 2018), and was used to produce the results therein. |
| URL | https://blendz.readthedocs.io/en/latest/ |
| Description | Public outreach event at Science Museum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A planetarium show was presented to members of the general public attending a 'Lates' event at the Science Museum, London. It discussed General Relativity and resulted in discussions/questions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2016 |
| Description | Public outreach event at Science Museum for children with autism |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | General discussions of astronomy were had with groups of children with autism and their families using a planetarium. This was done during an evening event held at the Science Museum, London. Due to their disabilities, giving a more formal presentation would have been unfeasible, but several parents of members of the audience expressed how the informal discussions and explorations of the night sky were well received by their children, many of whom had extensive knowledge of astronomy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Public outreach event for local schools |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | An outreach presentation on Neutrinos was prepared and delivered to several groups of 12-16 year olds from schools in the local area invited to the university. The event was to coincide with the 'Neutrino 2016' conference hosted at Imperial. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Publix outreach event at Imperial Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Planetarium shows presented at the Imperial festival, an outreach event aimed at the general public and alumni of the university. The shows, which were about the history of observational astronomy, often attracted questions from the audience, several times resulting in discussions of techniques involved in current research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |