Improving the accuracy of observable distributions for galaxies classified in the Projected Phase Space Diagram

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Main Authors: Martínez, Héctor J., Rios, Martín de los, Coenda, Valeria, Muriel, Hernán, Ruiz, Andrés N., Cora, Sofía A., Vega-Martínez, Cristian A.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Martínez, Héctor J.
Rios, Martín de los
Coenda, Valeria
Muriel, Hernán
Ruiz, Andrés N.
Cora, Sofía A.
Vega-Martínez, Cristian A.
author_facet Martínez, Héctor J.
Rios, Martín de los
Coenda, Valeria
Muriel, Hernán
Ruiz, Andrés N.
Cora, Sofía A.
Vega-Martínez, Cristian A.
contents Studies of galaxy populations classified according to their kinematic behaviours and dynamical state using the Projected Phase Space Diagram (PPSD) are affected by misclassification and contamination, leading to systematic errors in determining the characteristics of the different galaxy classes. We propose a method to statistically correct the determination of galaxy properties' distributions accounting for the contamination caused by misclassified galaxies from other classes. Using a sample of massive clusters and galaxies in their surroundings taken from the MultiDark Planck 2 simulation combined with the semi-analytic model of galaxy formation SAG, we compute the confusion matrix associated to a classification scheme in the PPSD. Based on positions in the PPSD, galaxies are classified as cluster members, backsplash galaxies, recent infallers, infalling galaxies, and interlopers. This classification is determined using probabilities calculated by the code ROGER, along with a threshold criterion. By inverting the confusion matrix, we are able to get better determinations of distributions of galaxy properties such as colour. Compared to a direct estimation based solely on the predicted galaxy classes, our method provides better estimates of the mass-dependent colour distribution for the galaxy classes most affected by misclassification: cluster members, backsplash galaxies, and recent infallers. We apply the method to a sample of observed X-ray clusters and galaxies. Our method can be applied to any classification of galaxies in the PPSD, and to any other galaxy property besides colour, provided an estimation of the confusion matrix. Blue, low-mass galaxies in clusters are almost exclusively recent infaller galaxies that have not yet been quenched by the environmental action of the cluster. Backsplash galaxies are on average redder than expected.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2502_04446
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Improving the accuracy of observable distributions for galaxies classified in the Projected Phase Space Diagram
Martínez, Héctor J.
Rios, Martín de los
Coenda, Valeria
Muriel, Hernán
Ruiz, Andrés N.
Cora, Sofía A.
Vega-Martínez, Cristian A.
Astrophysics of Galaxies
Studies of galaxy populations classified according to their kinematic behaviours and dynamical state using the Projected Phase Space Diagram (PPSD) are affected by misclassification and contamination, leading to systematic errors in determining the characteristics of the different galaxy classes. We propose a method to statistically correct the determination of galaxy properties' distributions accounting for the contamination caused by misclassified galaxies from other classes. Using a sample of massive clusters and galaxies in their surroundings taken from the MultiDark Planck 2 simulation combined with the semi-analytic model of galaxy formation SAG, we compute the confusion matrix associated to a classification scheme in the PPSD. Based on positions in the PPSD, galaxies are classified as cluster members, backsplash galaxies, recent infallers, infalling galaxies, and interlopers. This classification is determined using probabilities calculated by the code ROGER, along with a threshold criterion. By inverting the confusion matrix, we are able to get better determinations of distributions of galaxy properties such as colour. Compared to a direct estimation based solely on the predicted galaxy classes, our method provides better estimates of the mass-dependent colour distribution for the galaxy classes most affected by misclassification: cluster members, backsplash galaxies, and recent infallers. We apply the method to a sample of observed X-ray clusters and galaxies. Our method can be applied to any classification of galaxies in the PPSD, and to any other galaxy property besides colour, provided an estimation of the confusion matrix. Blue, low-mass galaxies in clusters are almost exclusively recent infaller galaxies that have not yet been quenched by the environmental action of the cluster. Backsplash galaxies are on average redder than expected.
title Improving the accuracy of observable distributions for galaxies classified in the Projected Phase Space Diagram
topic Astrophysics of Galaxies
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.04446