A simple likelihood method for quasar target selection

Jessica A. Kirkpatrick; David J. Schlegel; Nicholas P. Ross; Adam D. Myers; Joseph F. Hennawi; Erin S. Sheldon; Donald P. Schneider; Benjamin A. Weaver

doi:10.1088/0004-637X/743/2/125

A simple likelihood method for quasar target selection

Jessica A. Kirkpatrick, David J. Schlegel, Nicholas P. Ross, Adam D. Myers, Joseph F. Hennawi, Erin S. Sheldon, Donald P. Schneider, Benjamin A. Weaver

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

53 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present a new method for quasar target selection using photometric fluxes and a Bayesian probabilistic approach. For our purposes, we target quasars using Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) photometry to a magnitude limit of g = 22. The efficiency and completeness of this technique are measured using the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) data taken in 2010. This technique was used for the uniformly selected (CORE) sample of targets in BOSS year-one spectroscopy to be realized in the ninth SDSS data release. When targeting at a density of 40 objectsdeg^-2 (the BOSS quasar targeting density), the efficiency of this technique in recovering z > 2.2 quasars is 40%. The completeness compared to all quasars identified in BOSS data is 65%. This paper also describes possible extensions and improvements for this technique.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	125
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	743
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/743/2/125
State	Published - Dec 20 2011

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

Access to Document

10.1088/0004-637X/743/2/125

Cite this

@article{b50338983c624f8d917f1508a8be63c4,

title = "A simple likelihood method for quasar target selection",

abstract = "We present a new method for quasar target selection using photometric fluxes and a Bayesian probabilistic approach. For our purposes, we target quasars using Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) photometry to a magnitude limit of g = 22. The efficiency and completeness of this technique are measured using the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) data taken in 2010. This technique was used for the uniformly selected (CORE) sample of targets in BOSS year-one spectroscopy to be realized in the ninth SDSS data release. When targeting at a density of 40 objectsdeg-2 (the BOSS quasar targeting density), the efficiency of this technique in recovering z > 2.2 quasars is 40%. The completeness compared to all quasars identified in BOSS data is 65%. This paper also describes possible extensions and improvements for this technique.",

author = "Kirkpatrick, {Jessica A.} and Schlegel, {David J.} and Ross, {Nicholas P.} and Myers, {Adam D.} and Hennawi, {Joseph F.} and Sheldon, {Erin S.} and Schneider, {Donald P.} and Weaver, {Benjamin A.}",

year = "2011",

month = dec,

day = "20",

doi = "10.1088/0004-637X/743/2/125",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "743",

journal = "Astrophysical Journal",

issn = "0004-637X",

publisher = "IOP Publishing Ltd.",

number = "2",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - A simple likelihood method for quasar target selection

AU - Kirkpatrick, Jessica A.

AU - Schlegel, David J.

AU - Ross, Nicholas P.

AU - Myers, Adam D.

AU - Hennawi, Joseph F.

AU - Sheldon, Erin S.

AU - Schneider, Donald P.

AU - Weaver, Benjamin A.

PY - 2011/12/20

Y1 - 2011/12/20

N2 - We present a new method for quasar target selection using photometric fluxes and a Bayesian probabilistic approach. For our purposes, we target quasars using Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) photometry to a magnitude limit of g = 22. The efficiency and completeness of this technique are measured using the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) data taken in 2010. This technique was used for the uniformly selected (CORE) sample of targets in BOSS year-one spectroscopy to be realized in the ninth SDSS data release. When targeting at a density of 40 objectsdeg-2 (the BOSS quasar targeting density), the efficiency of this technique in recovering z > 2.2 quasars is 40%. The completeness compared to all quasars identified in BOSS data is 65%. This paper also describes possible extensions and improvements for this technique.

AB - We present a new method for quasar target selection using photometric fluxes and a Bayesian probabilistic approach. For our purposes, we target quasars using Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) photometry to a magnitude limit of g = 22. The efficiency and completeness of this technique are measured using the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) data taken in 2010. This technique was used for the uniformly selected (CORE) sample of targets in BOSS year-one spectroscopy to be realized in the ninth SDSS data release. When targeting at a density of 40 objectsdeg-2 (the BOSS quasar targeting density), the efficiency of this technique in recovering z > 2.2 quasars is 40%. The completeness compared to all quasars identified in BOSS data is 65%. This paper also describes possible extensions and improvements for this technique.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=83455262287&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=83455262287&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1088/0004-637X/743/2/125

DO - 10.1088/0004-637X/743/2/125

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:83455262287

SN - 0004-637X

VL - 743

JO - Astrophysical Journal

JF - Astrophysical Journal

IS - 2

M1 - 125

ER -

A simple likelihood method for quasar target selection

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this