Caroline Foster (AAO)

Caroline Foster Colloquium: The true shape of galaxies

Marsfield Lecture Theatre

Abstract

The intrinsic or true three-dimensional shape of galaxies is
one of their most fundamental characteristic. Yet, due to projection
effects, the true shape of galaxies is a difficult property to measure
accurately. The most reliable method for inferring intrinsic shapes
require large samples of spatially resolved stellar kinematic maps.
Large IFU surveys are now enabling this type of science to be done
accurately on carefully selected samples of galaxies. I am using the
SAMI Galaxy Survey to uncover the intrinsic shape of various carefully
selected galaxy samples. Preliminary results will be presented.