Frontier Fields simulations

Introduction

The success of the FFs depends entirely on us (the lensing community) providing magnification maps with robust errors for the larger astronomy community to use and exploit this unique data set. One of the key points that was a persistent source of discussion right from the start in the Science Working Group was the calibration of various modeling approaches. Towards that goal we have decided to provide a set of simulations to calibrate the various modeling techniques. The purpose of such an exercise is to (i) calibrate methods and most importantly the efficacy of error determination (ii) provide feedback in time to the selected preliminary map modelers to ensure that the preliminary maps are well calibrated and (iii) publish the results of this exercise highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each method so that the community at large can choose which map to use for specific purposes.

Simulations

The HST images contained in this repository were created to mimic the depth of the Frontier Field observations. The following table summarizes the characteristics of the images:

Camera	Filter	Orbits	FOV
ACS	f435w	18	204"
ACS	f606w	10	204"
ACS	f814w	42	204"
WFC3	f105w	24	204"
WFC3	f125w	12	204"
WFC3	f140w	12	204"
WFC3	f160w	22	204"

Products

The BLF portal gives access to the simulated HST observations of four galaxy clusters. Additional simulations are in the process of being produced. In addition, catalogs of cluster members and of multiple images are also available, at least for some of the lenses.

To download the data products, use the BLF portal

References

• The official webpage of the Frontier Fields Lens Modeling Comparison Project can be accessed at this link
• More information about the Frontier Fields Initiative of the Hubble Space Telescope can be found here

People

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Funding