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Main Authors: Craigie, Matthew, Huff, Eric, Ting, Yuan-Sen, Ruggeri, Rossana, Davis, Tamara M.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.05155
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author Craigie, Matthew
Huff, Eric
Ting, Yuan-Sen
Ruggeri, Rossana
Davis, Tamara M.
author_facet Craigie, Matthew
Huff, Eric
Ting, Yuan-Sen
Ruggeri, Rossana
Davis, Tamara M.
contents We present DELTA (Data-Empiric Learned Tidal Alignments), a deep learning model that isolates galaxy intrinsic alignments (IAs) from weak lensing distortions using only observational data. The model uses an Equivariant Graph Neural Network backbone suitable for capturing information from the local galaxy environment, in conjunction with a probabilistic orientation output. Unlike parametric models, DELTA flexibly learns the relationship between galaxy shapes and their local environments, without assuming an explicit IA form or relying on simulations. When applied to mock catalogs with realistic noisy IAs injected, it accurately reconstructs the noise-free, pure IA signal. Mapping these alignments provides a direct visualization of IA patterns in the mock catalogs. Combining DELTA with deep learning interpretation techniques provides further insights into the physics driving tidal relationships between galaxies. This new approach to understanding and controlling IAs is suitable for application to joint photometric and spectroscopic surveys such as the combination of upcoming Euclid, Rubin, and DESI datasets.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2506_05155
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Learning Intrinsic Alignments from Local Galaxy Environments
Craigie, Matthew
Huff, Eric
Ting, Yuan-Sen
Ruggeri, Rossana
Davis, Tamara M.
Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
We present DELTA (Data-Empiric Learned Tidal Alignments), a deep learning model that isolates galaxy intrinsic alignments (IAs) from weak lensing distortions using only observational data. The model uses an Equivariant Graph Neural Network backbone suitable for capturing information from the local galaxy environment, in conjunction with a probabilistic orientation output. Unlike parametric models, DELTA flexibly learns the relationship between galaxy shapes and their local environments, without assuming an explicit IA form or relying on simulations. When applied to mock catalogs with realistic noisy IAs injected, it accurately reconstructs the noise-free, pure IA signal. Mapping these alignments provides a direct visualization of IA patterns in the mock catalogs. Combining DELTA with deep learning interpretation techniques provides further insights into the physics driving tidal relationships between galaxies. This new approach to understanding and controlling IAs is suitable for application to joint photometric and spectroscopic surveys such as the combination of upcoming Euclid, Rubin, and DESI datasets.
title Learning Intrinsic Alignments from Local Galaxy Environments
topic Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.05155