A Survey of Gravitational Lenses as Cosmological Tools III

Mathematics – Logic

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Hst Proposal Id #8804

Scientific paper

The 60 known gravitational lenses are a unique, mass-selected sample of galaxies, and their properties encode an enormous range of astrophysical information. The numbers of lenses and their distribution in separation, lens and source redshift determine both the cosmological model {Omega_0, Lambda_0} and the mass function of galaxies and its evolution. Detailed studies of lenses with time delay measurements yield estimates of the Hubble constant H_0. By comparing the mass distribution determined from the lensed images to HST optical photometry, we measure the mass-to-light ratios of lens galaxies and their evolution to z sim 1, their luminosity function, and the relationship between the mass and luminosity distributions in galaxies. We can use the wavelength dependence of the flux ratios between the images to measure the extinction and extinction laws in the lens galaxies. Quantitatively, these goals require HST, the only instrument with the essential resolution and sensitivity given the small angular sizes and typical redshifts of lens systems. With uniform, multi-band HST data we can pursue all these goals {it simultaneously}, making valuable independent measurements in cosmology and as a unique probe of galaxies and their evolution based on mass rather than light. We request 30 orbits using WFPC2 with F555W and F814W to observe 15 lens systems. We request that the data be made public immediately.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

A Survey of Gravitational Lenses as Cosmological Tools III does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with A Survey of Gravitational Lenses as Cosmological Tools III, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A Survey of Gravitational Lenses as Cosmological Tools III will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-994084

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.