2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey

2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey
Willem Schaap · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey
Survey	Anglo-Australian Telescope
Target	Galaxy
Wavelength	Optical

2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey is a major astronomical survey conducted by the Anglo-Australian Observatory using the Anglo-Australian Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory in Australia. The survey was led by Matthew Colless and involved a team of astronomers from University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and Australian National University. It was designed to measure the redshift of galaxys and quasars, providing valuable insights into the large-scale structure of the universe and the distribution of galaxies.

Introduction

The 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey was a groundbreaking project that built upon the success of earlier surveys such as the CfA Redshift Survey and the Las Campanas Redshift Survey. It was designed to take advantage of the Anglo-Australian Telescope's unique 2dF instrument, which allowed for the simultaneous observation of hundreds of galaxys and quasars. The survey was supported by NASA, National Science Foundation, and the Australian Research Council, and involved collaborations with University of California, Berkeley, Harvard University, and University of Chicago.

Survey Design

The survey design involved targeting galaxys and quasars in the southern hemisphere using the UK Schmidt Telescope and the ESO Schmidt Telescope. The target selection was based on the APM Galaxy Survey and the Edinburgh-Durham Southern Galaxy Catalogue, which provided a catalogue of galaxys and quasars with photometric and astrometric data. The survey was designed to cover an area of approximately 1,500 square degrees, with a redshift range of 0 < z < 0.3, and involved the observation of over 250,000 galaxys and quasars. The survey team worked closely with European Southern Observatory, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, and Space Telescope Science Institute to ensure the success of the project.

Observations and Data Reduction

The observations were carried out using the 2dF instrument on the Anglo-Australian Telescope, which allowed for the simultaneous observation of up to 400 galaxys and quasars. The data reduction involved the use of software developed by the survey team, including 2dFDR and Karlsson et al., which provided spectroscopic and photometric data for each galaxy and quasar. The survey team collaborated with Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, Chandra X-ray Observatory, and Hubble Space Telescope to obtain additional data and insights. The data were also compared with simulations run on supercomputers at National Center for Supercomputing Applications and Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center.

Results and Findings

The 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey provided a wealth of new information about the large-scale structure of the universe and the distribution of galaxies. The survey revealed a complex web-like structure of galaxys and galaxy clusters, with voids and filaments stretching across the universe. The survey also provided insights into the properties of galaxies, including their luminosity function, color-magnitude relation, and star formation rate. The results were published in a series of papers in The Astronomical Journal, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, and The Astrophysical Journal, and were presented at conferences such as the International Astronomical Union and American Astronomical Society.

Impact and Legacy

The 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey has had a significant impact on our understanding of the universe, and has paved the way for future surveys such as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and the Dark Energy Survey. The survey has also led to the development of new technologies and methods for astronomical surveys, including the use of fiber-optic spectrographs and data mining techniques. The survey team has collaborated with NASA, European Space Agency, and National Science Foundation to develop new missions and projects, including the James Webb Space Telescope and the Square Kilometre Array. The survey has also inspired new research in cosmology, galaxy evolution, and astroparticle physics, and has involved collaborations with CERN, Fermilab, and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

Technical Specifications

The 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey used the 2dF instrument on the Anglo-Australian Telescope, which consisted of a fiber-optic spectrograph and a robotic fiber positioner. The instrument was designed to observe up to 400 galaxys and quasars simultaneously, with a spectral resolution of R ~ 1,000 and a wavelength range of 3,700 - 9,000 Å. The survey also used a database developed by the survey team, which provided metadata and data analysis tools for the survey data. The survey team worked closely with IBM, Hewlett Packard, and Sun Microsystems to develop the hardware and software for the survey. The survey has also involved collaborations with Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure to develop new cloud computing and data storage solutions.

Category:Astronomical surveys