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The Impact of Observing Strategy on Cosmological Constraints with LSST

Lochner, Michelle; Scolnic, Dan; Almoubayyed, Husni; Anguita, Timo; Awan, Humna; Gawiser, Eric; Gontcho, Satya Gontcho; ... Stubbs, Christopher; + view all (2022) The Impact of Observing Strategy on Cosmological Constraints with LSST. The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series , 259 (2) , Article 58. 10.3847/1538-4365/ac5033. Green open access

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Abstract

The generation-defining Vera C. Rubin Observatory will make state-of-the-art measurements of both the static and transient universe through its Legacy Survey for Space and Time (LSST). With such capabilities, it is immensely challenging to optimize the LSST observing strategy across the survey's wide range of science drivers. Many aspects of the LSST observing strategy relevant to the LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration, such as survey footprint definition, single-visit exposure time, and the cadence of repeat visits in different filters, are yet to be finalized. Here, we present metrics used to assess the impact of observing strategy on the cosmological probes considered most sensitive to survey design; these are large-scale structure, weak lensing, type Ia supernovae, kilonovae, and strong lens systems (as well as photometric redshifts, which enable many of these probes). We evaluate these metrics for over 100 different simulated potential survey designs. Our results show that multiple observing strategy decisions can profoundly impact cosmological constraints with LSST; these include adjusting the survey footprint, ensuring repeat nightly visits are taken in different filters, and enforcing regular cadence. We provide public code for our metrics, which makes them readily available for evaluating further modifications to the survey design. We conclude with a set of recommendations and highlight observing strategy factors that require further research.

Type: Article
Title: The Impact of Observing Strategy on Cosmological Constraints with LSST
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.3847/1538-4365/ac5033
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/1538-4365/ac5033
Language: English
Additional information: © 2022 IOP Publishing. Original content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
UCL classification: UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Physics and Astronomy
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL
URI: https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10147609
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