Open AccessThe 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey: the b J ‐band galaxy luminosity function and survey selection function
Author(s) -
Norberg Peder,
Cole Shaun,
Baugh Carlton M.,
Frenk Carlos S.,
Baldry Ivan,
BlandHawthorn Joss,
Bridges Terry,
Can Russell,
Colless Matthew,
Collins Chris,
Couch Warrick,
Cross Nicholas J. G.,
Dalton Gavin,
De Propris Roberto,
Driver Simon P.,
Efstathiou George,
Ellis Richard S.,
Glazebrook Karl,
Jackson Carole,
Lahav Ofer,
Lewis Ian,
Lumsden Stuart,
Maddox Steve,
Madgwick Darren,
Peacock John A.,
Peterson Bruce A.,
Sutherland Will,
Taylor Keith
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2002.05831.x
Subject(s) - physics , astrophysics , luminosity function , galaxy , redshift survey , field galaxy , astronomy , redshift , luminosity , cosmology , sky
We use more than 110 500 galaxies from the 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey (2dFGRS) to estimate the b J ‐band galaxy luminosity function at redshift z = 0 , taking account of evolution, the distribution of magnitude measurement errors and small corrections for incompleteness in the galaxy catalogue. Throughout the interval −16.5 > M b J− 5 log 10 h > −22 , the luminosity function is accurately described by a Schechter function with M ★ b J− 5 log 10 h =−19.66 ± 0.07, α=−1.21 ± 0.03 and Φ ★ = (1.61 ± 0.08) × 10 −2 h 3 Mpc −3 , giving an integrated luminosity density of ρ L = (1.82 ± 0.17) × 10 8 h L ⊙ Mpc −3 (assuming an Ω 0 = 0.3, Λ 0 = 0.7 cosmology). The quoted errors have contributions from the accuracy of the photometric zero‐point, from large‐scale structure in the galaxy distribution and, importantly, from the uncertainty in the appropriate evolutionary corrections. Our luminosity function is in excellent agreement with, but has much smaller statistical errors than, an estimate from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) data when the SDSS data are accurately translated to the b J band and the luminosity functions are normalized in the same way. We use the luminosity function, along with maps describing the redshift completeness of the current 2dFGRS catalogue, and its weak dependence on apparent magnitude, to define a complete description of the 2dFGRS selection function. Details and tests of the calibration of the 2dFGRS photometric parent catalogue are also presented.