Study level

  • PhD
  • Master of Philosophy

Faculty/School

Faculty of Science

School of Chemistry and Physics

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Supervisors

Dr Michael Cowley
Position
Senior Lecturer
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Science

External supervisors

  • Prof Andrew Hopkins, Macquarie University

Overview

This project aims to assess the reliability, accuracy, and limitations of various Star Formation Rate (SFR) estimators used in extragalactic astronomy. By leveraging multi-wavelength data from the ZFOURGE survey, the project will explore how well SFR indicators derived from UV, optical (Hα), infrared (IR), and radio observations compare to SED-fitted SFRs from CIGALE. The project will focus on understanding discrepancies, particularly in dusty star-forming galaxies and AGN hosts, and provide recommendations for improving SFR estimates in future research.

Research activities

Literature review
Explore the theoretical foundations of SFR estimators across different wavelengths.
Data collection
Use ZFOURGE photometry, MOSFIRE spectroscopy, and ASKAP EMU radio data to build a multi-wavelength dataset.
Method comparison
Implement different SFR estimation methods and compare their outputs.
Statistical analysis
Identify systematic biases and evaluate the reliability of each method using statistical metrics.
Critical evaluation
Provide recommendations on the best practices for SFR estimation across different galaxy populations.

Outcomes

  • A comprehensive comparison of UV, Hα, IR, and radio-based SFR estimators.
  • A better understanding of the conditions under which each SFR estimator performs well or poorly.
  • Practical recommendations for improving the accuracy of SFR estimates in high-redshift surveys.
  • A final report and codebase for reproducibility and further research.

Skills and experience

This project will involve custom-designed data processing, and proficiency in a programming language, preferably Python, is desirable for handling the large dataset and performing the necessary calculations.

If you lack programming skills, you will have the opportunity to complete Dr Cowley's 'Introduction to Python for Astronomers' short course.

Scholarships

You may be eligible to apply for a research scholarship.

Explore our research scholarships

Keywords

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.