Posts by Collection

AllStarFit

AllStarFit: R package for source detection, PSF and multi-component galaxy fitting

MultiProFit

MultiProFit: A Python package for fast galaxy model fitting using Gaussian mixtures

ProFit

ProFit: An R package for Bayesian galaxy model fitting

Rubin Observatory LSST Science Pipelines

The Rubin Observatory LSST Science Pipelines (from Data Management)

Mergers in Galaxy Groups. I. Structure and Properties of Elliptical Remnants

Published in The Astrophysical Journal, 2013

This first paper from my PhD thesis presented novel N-body simulations of mergers of spiral galaxies in groups of three to twenty-five. Analysis of synthetic images and kinematic maps showed that the merger remnants formed in the centers of these groups have very similar properties to nearby elliptical galaxies, showing that multiple, gas-poor and sometimes minor mergers are an alternative formation mechanism to the previously favoured paradigm of a single gas-rich major merger.

Recommended citation: Taranu D.S., Dubinski J.J., Yee H.K.C., 2013, ApJ, 778, 61. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2013ApJ...778...61T/abstract

Quenching star formation in cluster galaxies

Published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2014

This undergraduate thesis paper presented simplified models for the evolution of star formation in galaxies in rich clusters. Comparioson of model predictions to observations showed that typical galaxies are quenched on longer exponential time-scales of 3-3.5 Gyr, whereas models with very rapid quenching (<1Gyr) are disfavoured as they produce excessively old and red galaxies.

Recommended citation: Taranu D.S., Hudson M.J., Balogh M.L., et al., 2014, MNRAS, 440, 1934. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2014MNRAS.440.1934T/abstract

Mergers in Galaxy Groups. II. The Fundamental Plane of Elliptical Galaxies

Published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2015

This second paper from my PhD thesis concluded that Paper I’s simulations follow a similar fundamental plane relation to observed ellipticals, but with a shallower slope, implying that some dissipation is likely necessary to form realistic ellipticals.

Recommended citation: Taranu D.S., Dubinski J.J., Yee H.K.C., 2015, MNRAS, 803, 78 https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2015ApJ...803...78T/abstract

ProFit: Bayesian profile fitting of galaxy images

Published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2016

ProFit is an R package for Bayesian galaxy profile fitting. This paper describes the code and methodology with examples and results from the VST-KiDS survey.

Recommended citation: Robotham A.S.G., Taranu D.S., Tobar R., et al., 2017, MNRAS, 466, 1513. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2017MNRAS.466.1513R/abstract

Self-consistent Bulge/Disk/Halo Galaxy Dynamical Modeling Using Integral Field Kinematics

Published in The Astrophysical Journal, 2017

MagRite is a new code and method for fitting self-consistent galaxy models to images and integral field kinematics. This paper describes the method and shows an example using SAMI Galaxy Survey data.

Recommended citation: Taranu D.S., Obreschkow D., Dubinski J.J., et al., 2017, ApJ, 850, 70. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2017ApJ...850...70T/abstract

The SAMI Galaxy Survey: the role of disc fading and progenitor bias in kinematic transitions

Published in The Astrophysical Journal, 2021

This paper quantifies the role of passive disc fading in transforming spiral galaxies to lenticulars, using SAMI Galaxy Survey data, equilibrium galaxy models and simulations.

Recommended citation: Croom, S. M.; Taranu, D. S.; van de Sande, J.; et al., 2021, MNRAS, 505, 2247. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2021MNRAS.505.2247C/abstract

Third Data Release of the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program

Published in arXiv (PASJ submitted), 2021

The paper describing the pipeline software, data processing, outputs and access for the third data release of the HSC-SSP (PDR3).

Recommended citation: Aihara, H., AlSayyad, Y., Ando, M., et al., 2021, arXiv:2108.13045. https://arxiv.org/abs/2108.13045

Galaxy modelling in the era of all-sky multiwavelength surveys

Published: July 17, 2018

Part of Dark Matter 2018, this talk begins with a summary of results from the paper on my galaxy dynamical modelling code MagRite, and preliminary results from multi-wavelength modelling of Subaru-HSC images using ProFit. No recording is available; see the slides here or here.

Galaxy modelling in the era of all-sky multiwavelength surveys

Published: November 15, 2018

Part of IAU Symposium 341: PanModel2018, this talk presents preliminary results from multi-wavelength modelling of galaxies using what is now MultiProFit and Subaru-HSC data, with a view to future data processing for the Rubin Observatory (then still LSST). No recording is available; see the slides here.

Project plans for galaxy photometry and model fitting

Published: March 19, 2020

Part of the Rubin Observatory Algorithms Workshop, this talk is the second half of a project update on the current status of galaxy photometry algorithms (presented by Jim Bosch), as well as ongoing work and future plans (presented by myself). The slides and recording are both available (my half begins at 24:00).

Teaching Assistant

Undergraduate courses, University of Toronto, Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2008

I was a teaching assistant for a variety of courses at the University of Toronto, including: