TY - JOUR
T1 - MAGPHYS+photo-z
T2 - Constraining the Physical Properties of Galaxies with Unknown Redshifts
AU - Cosmos Collaboration, Collaboration
AU - Battisti, A. J.
AU - Da Cunha, E.
AU - Grasha, K.
AU - Salvato, M.
AU - Daddi, E.
AU - Davies, L.
AU - Jin, S.
AU - Liu, D.
AU - Schinnerer, E.
AU - Vaccari, M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
PY - 2019/9/1
Y1 - 2019/9/1
N2 - We present an enhanced version of the multiwavelength spectral modeling code MAGPHYS that allows the estimation of galaxy photometric redshift and physical properties (e.g., stellar mass, star formation rate, dust attenuation) simultaneously, together with robust characterization of their uncertainties. The self-consistent modeling over ultraviolet to radio wavelengths in MAGPHYS+photo-z is unique compared to standard photometric redshift codes. The broader wavelength consideration is particularly useful for breaking certain degeneracies in color versus redshift for dusty galaxies with limited observer-frame ultraviolet and optical data (or upper limits). We demonstrate the success of the code in estimating redshifts and physical properties for over 4000 infrared-detected galaxies at 0.4 < z < 6.0 in the COSMOS field with robust spectroscopic redshifts. We achieve high photo-z precision (), high accuracy (i.e., minimal offset biases; median(Δz/(1 + z spec)) ≲ 0.02), and low catastrophic failure rates (η ≃ 4%) over all redshifts. Interestingly, we find that a weak 2175 Å absorption feature in the attenuation curve models is required to remove a subtle systematic z phot offset () that occurs when this feature is not included. As expected, the accuracy of derived physical properties in MAGPHYS+photo-z decreases strongly as redshift uncertainty increases. The all-in-one treatment of uncertainties afforded with this code is beneficial for accurately interpreting physical properties of galaxies in large photometric data sets. Finally, we emphasize that MAGPHYS+photo-z is not intended to replace existing photo-z codes, but rather offers flexibility to robustly interpret physical properties when spectroscopic redshifts are unavailable. The MAGPHYS+photo-z code is publicly available online.
AB - We present an enhanced version of the multiwavelength spectral modeling code MAGPHYS that allows the estimation of galaxy photometric redshift and physical properties (e.g., stellar mass, star formation rate, dust attenuation) simultaneously, together with robust characterization of their uncertainties. The self-consistent modeling over ultraviolet to radio wavelengths in MAGPHYS+photo-z is unique compared to standard photometric redshift codes. The broader wavelength consideration is particularly useful for breaking certain degeneracies in color versus redshift for dusty galaxies with limited observer-frame ultraviolet and optical data (or upper limits). We demonstrate the success of the code in estimating redshifts and physical properties for over 4000 infrared-detected galaxies at 0.4 < z < 6.0 in the COSMOS field with robust spectroscopic redshifts. We achieve high photo-z precision (), high accuracy (i.e., minimal offset biases; median(Δz/(1 + z spec)) ≲ 0.02), and low catastrophic failure rates (η ≃ 4%) over all redshifts. Interestingly, we find that a weak 2175 Å absorption feature in the attenuation curve models is required to remove a subtle systematic z phot offset () that occurs when this feature is not included. As expected, the accuracy of derived physical properties in MAGPHYS+photo-z decreases strongly as redshift uncertainty increases. The all-in-one treatment of uncertainties afforded with this code is beneficial for accurately interpreting physical properties of galaxies in large photometric data sets. Finally, we emphasize that MAGPHYS+photo-z is not intended to replace existing photo-z codes, but rather offers flexibility to robustly interpret physical properties when spectroscopic redshifts are unavailable. The MAGPHYS+photo-z code is publicly available online.
KW - galaxies: ISM
KW - galaxies: evolution
KW - galaxies: fundamental parameters
KW - galaxies: photometry
KW - infrared: galaxies
KW - submillimeter: galaxies
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85072326279&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3847/1538-4357/ab345d
DO - 10.3847/1538-4357/ab345d
M3 - Article
SN - 0004-637X
VL - 882
JO - Astrophysical Journal
JF - Astrophysical Journal
IS - 1
M1 - 61
ER -