The phase-space structure of nearby dark matter as constrained by the SDSS
File(s)1601.00093.pdf (11.74 MB)
Published version
OA Location
Author(s)
Leclercq, F
Jasche, J
Lavaux, G
Wandelt, B
Percival, W
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Previous studies using numerical simulations have demonstrated that the shape of the cosmic web can be described by studying the Lagrangian displacement field. We extend these analyses, showing that it is now possible to perform a Lagrangian description of cosmic structure in the nearby Universe based on large-scale structure observations. Building upon recent Bayesian large-scale inference of initial conditions, we present a cosmographic analysis of the dark matter distribution and its evolution, referred to as the dark matter phase-space sheet, in the nearby universe as probed by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey main galaxy sample. We consider its stretchings and foldings using a tetrahedral tessellation of the Lagrangian lattice. The method provides extremely accurate estimates of nearby density and velocity fields, even in regions of low galaxy density. It also measures the number of matter streams, and the deformation and parity reversals of fluid elements, which were previously thought inaccessible using observations. We illustrate the approach by showing the phase-space structure of known objects of the nearby Universe such as the Sloan Great Wall, the Coma cluster and the Boötes void. We dissect cosmic structures into four distinct components (voids, sheets, filaments, and clusters), using the Lagrangian classifiers DIVA, ORIGAMI, and a new scheme which we introduce and call LICH. Because these classifiers use information other than the sheer local density, identified structures explicitly carry physical information about their formation history. Accessing the phase-space structure of dark matter in galaxy surveys opens the way for new confrontations of observational data and theoretical models. We have made our data products publicly available.
Date Issued
2017-06-26
Date Acceptance
2017-06-14
Citation
Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, 2017, 2017 (06), pp.049-049
ISSN
1475-7516
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Start Page
049
End Page
049
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Volume
2017
Issue
06
Copyright Statement
© 2017 IOP Publishing Ltd and Sissa Medialab. This is an author-created, un-copyedited version of an article accepted for publication in [insert name of journal]. IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The definitive publisher authenticated version is available online at http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1475-7516/2017/06/049/meta
Subjects
0201 Astronomical And Space Sciences
0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle And Plasma Physics
Nuclear & Particles Physics
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2017-06-26