Simulation of Stellar Objects in SDSS Color Space

Abstract

We present a simulation of the spatial, luminosity and spectral distributions of four types of stellar objects. We simulate: (1) Galactic stars, based on a Galactic structure model, a stellar population synthesis model, stellar isochrones, and stellar spectral libraries; (2) white dwarfs, based on model atmospheres, the observed luminosity function, mass distribution, and Galactic distribution of white dwarfs; (3) quasars, based on their observed luminosity function and its evolution, and models of emission and absorption spectra of quasars; and (4) compact emission line galaxies, based on the observed distribution of their spectral properties and sizes. The results are presented in the color system of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), with realistic photometric error and Galactic extinction. The simulated colors of stars and quasars are compared with observations in the SDSS system and show good agreement. The stellar simulation can be used as a tool to analyze star counts and constrain models of Galactic structure, as well as to identify stars with unusual colors. The simulation can also be used to establish the quasar target selection algorithm for the SDSS.

Affiliated Institutions

• Princeton University US

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