Cosmic Shear from STIS Pure Parallels - II. Analysis.

Authors :: Shaver, Peter A.
DiLella, Luigi
Giménez, Alvaro
Hämmerle, H.
Miralles, J.-M.
Schneider, P.
Erben, T.
Fosbury, R. A. E.
Freudling, W.
Pirzkal, N.
White, S. D. M.
Source :: Astronomy, Cosmology & Fundamental Physics; 2003, p455-456, 2p
Publication Year :: 2003
Abstract: The tidal gravitational field due to the inhomogeneous distribution of matter in the Universe causes the distortion of light bundles from distant sources. This yields a small but observable imprint on the distribution of galaxy ellipticities, an effect called cosmic shear. The statistical properties of the shear field reflect the statistical properties of the (dark) matter distribution in the Universe. Comparing the results with theoretical predictions can constrain cosmological parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]