Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA): spectroscopic analysis
Andrew HopkinsAustralian Astronomical Observatory, PO Box 915, North Ryde, NSW 1670, AustraliaSimon P. DriverInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, AustraliaSarah BroughAustralian Astronomical Observatory, PO Box 915, North Ryde, NSW 1670, AustraliaM. S. OwersAustralian Astronomical Observatory, PO Box 915, North Ryde, NSW 1670, AustraliaAmanda E. BauerAustralian Astronomical Observatory, PO Box 915, North Ryde, NSW 1670, AustraliaM. L. P. GunawardhanaAustralian Astronomical Observatory, PO Box 915, North Ryde, NSW 1670, AustraliaM. E. CluverAustralian Astronomical Observatory, PO Box 915, North Ryde, NSW 1670, AustraliaMatthew CollessAustralian Astronomical Observatory, PO Box 915, North Ryde, NSW 1670, AustraliaCaroline FosterEuropean Southern Observatory, Alonso de Cordova 3107, Vitacura, Santiago, ChileM. A. Lara-LópezAustralian Astronomical Observatory, PO Box 915, North Ryde, NSW 1670, AustraliaI. G. RoseboomInstitute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Royal Observatory, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh EH9 3HJ, UKR. SharpResearch School of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Australian National University, Cotter Road Weston Creek, ACT 2611, AustraliaOliver SteeleInstitute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG), University of Portsmouth, Dennis Sciama Building, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth PO1 3FX, UKD. ThomasInstitute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG), University of Portsmouth, Dennis Sciama Building, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth PO1 3FX, UKI. K. BaldryAstrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Twelve Quays House, Egerton Wharf, Birkenhead CH41 1LD, UKM. J. I. BrownSchool of Physics, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, AustraliaJ. LiskeEuropean Southern Observatory, Karl-Schwarzschild-Str. 2, D-85748 Garching, GermanyP. NorbergInstitute for Computational Cosmology, Department of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UKA. S. G. RobothamInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, AustraliaS. P. BamfordSchool of Physics & Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UKJoss Bland‐HawthornSydney Institute for Astronomy, School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, AustraliaM. J. DrinkwaterSchool of Physics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, AustraliaJ. LovedayAstronomy Centre, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QH, UKM. MeyerInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, AustraliaJ. A. PeacockInstitute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Royal Observatory, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh EH9 3HJ, UKR. TuffsMax Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics (MPIK), Saupfercheckweg 1, D-69117 Heidelberg, GermanyN. K. AgiusJeremiah Horrocks Institute, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UKMehmet AlpaslanSchool of Physics & Astronomy, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews KY16 9SS, UKE. AndraeMax Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics (MPIK), Saupfercheckweg 1, D-69117 Heidelberg, GermanyEwan CameronMax Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics (MPIK), Saupfercheckweg 1, D-69117 Heidelberg, GermanyShaun ColeInstitute for Computational Cosmology, Department of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UKJ. H. Y. ChingSydney Institute for Astronomy, School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, AustraliaL. ChristodoulouAstronomy Centre, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QH, UKChristopher J. ConseliceSchool of Physics & Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UKS. M. CroomSydney Institute for Astronomy, School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, AustraliaN. J. G. CrossInstitute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Royal Observatory, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh EH9 3HJ, UKR. De ProprisCerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, La Serena, ChileJ. DelhaizeInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, AustraliaL. DunneDepartment of Physics and Astronomy, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New ZealandS. EalesSchool of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University, The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA, UKSimon EllisAustralian Astronomical Observatory, PO Box 915, North Ryde, NSW 1670, AustraliaCarlos S. FrenkInstitute for Computational Cosmology, Department of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UKAlister W. GrahamCentre for Astrophysics & Supercomputing, Swinburne University, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, AustraliaMeiert W. GrootesMax Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics (MPIK), Saupfercheckweg 1, D-69117 Heidelberg, GermanyBoris HäußlerSchool of Physics & Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UKCatherine HeymansInstitute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Royal Observatory, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh EH9 3HJ, UKDavid T. HillSchool of Physics & Astronomy, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews KY16 9SS, UKB. HoyleInstitut de Ciències del Cosmos, Facultat de Física, Martí i Franquès 1, E-08028 Barcelona, SpainMichael J. HudsonDepartment of Physics & Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 1Z5, CanadaM. J. JarvisDepartment of Physics, University of Oxford, Denys Wilkinson Building, Keble Road, Oxford OX1 3RH, UKJ. JohanssonMax-Planck Institut fuer Astrophysik, Karl-Schwarzschild-Str. 1, D-85741 Garching, GermanyD. H. P. JonesSchool of Physics, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, AustraliaE. van KampenEuropean Southern Observatory, Karl-Schwarzschild-Str. 2, D-85748 Garching, GermanyL. S. KelvinSchool of Physics & Astronomy, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews KY16 9SS, UKKonrad KuijkenLeiden Observatory, Leiden University, PO Box 9513, NL-2300RA Leiden, the NetherlandsÁ. R. López-SánchezAustralian Astronomical Observatory, PO Box 915, North Ryde, NSW 1670, AustraliaS. MaddoxDepartment of Physics and Astronomy, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New ZealandBarry F. MadoreCarnegie Institution for Science, 813 Santa Barbara Street, Pasadena, CA 91101, USAClaudia MarastonInstitute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG), University of Portsmouth, Dennis Sciama Building, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth PO1 3FX, UKT. McNaught-RobertsInstitute for Computational Cosmology, Department of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UKR. C. NicholInstitute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG), University of Portsmouth, Dennis Sciama Building, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth PO1 3FX, UKSeb OliverAstronomy Centre, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QH, UKH. R. ParkinsonUniversity of EdinburghSamantha J. PennySchool of Physics, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, AustraliaS. PhillippsDepartment of Physics, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TL, UKKevin A. PimbbletSchool of Physics, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, AustraliaT. J. PonmanSchool of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UKC. C. PopescuJeremiah Horrocks Institute, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UKM. PrescottDepartment of Physics, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South AfricaRoger ProctorUniversidade de São Paulo, IAG, Rua do Mato 1226, São Paulo 05508-900, BrazilE. M. SadlerSydney Institute for Astronomy, School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, AustraliaA. E. SansomJeremiah Horrocks Institute, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UKMark SeibertCarnegie Institution for Science, 813 Santa Barbara Street, Pasadena, CA 91101, USAL. Staveley‐SmithInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, AustraliaWilliam J. SutherlandAstronomy Unit, Queen Mary University London, Mile End Rd, London E1 4NS, UKEdward N. TaylorSydney Institute for Astronomy, School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, AustraliaLudovic Van WaerbekeUniversity of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2C2, CanadaJ. A. Vázquez-MataAstronomy Centre, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QH, UKS. J. WarrenAstrophysics Group, Imperial College London, Blackett Laboratory, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2AZ, UKDhanuska WijesingheSydney Institute for Astronomy, School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, AustraliaVivienne WildSchool of Physics & Astronomy, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews KY16 9SS, UKStephen M. WilkinsDepartment of Physics, University of Oxford, Denys Wilkinson Building, Keble Road, Oxford OX1 3RH, UK
2013en
ABI
Abstract
The Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey is a multiwavelength photometric and spectroscopic survey, using the AAOmega spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope to obtain spectra for up to ∼300 000 galaxies over 280 deg2, to a limiting magnitude of rpet < 19.8 mag. The target galaxies are distributed over 0 < z ≲ 0.5 with a median redshift of z ≈ 0.2, although the redshift distribution includes a small number of systems, primarily quasars, at higher redshifts, up to and beyond z = 1. The redshift accuracy ranges from σv ≈ 50 km s−1 to σv ≈ 100 km s−1 depending on the signal-to-noise ratio of the spectrum. Here we describe the GAMA spectroscopic reduction and analysis pipeline. We present the steps involved in taking the raw two-dimensional spectroscopic images through to flux-calibrated one-dimensional spectra. The resulting GAMA spectra cover an observed wavelength range of 3750 ≲ λ ≲ 8850 Å at a resolution of R ≈ 1300. The final flux calibration is typically accurate to 10–20 per cent, although the reliability is worse at the extreme wavelength ends, and poorer in the blue than the red. We present details of the measurement of emission and absorption features in the GAMA spectra. These measurements are characterized through a variety of quality control analyses detailing the robustness and reliability of the measurements. We illustrate the quality of the measurements with a brief exploration of elementary emission line properties of the galaxies in the GAMA sample. We demonstrate the luminosity dependence of the Balmer decrement, consistent with previously published results, and explore further how Balmer decrement varies with galaxy mass and redshift. We also investigate the mass and redshift dependencies of the [N II]/Hα versus [O III]/Hβ spectral diagnostic diagram, commonly used to discriminate between star forming and nuclear activity in galaxies.
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Cited by 20 references