What Is the Center in Sloan Digital Sky Survey?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and specifically seeks to clarify the concept of "the center" within the context of the data provided by the survey. Participants explore the implications of the 3D distribution of galaxies and the observational limitations of the SDSS project.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the meaning of "the center" in relation to the SDSS data and its visualization tool, Galaxy Explorer 2.0.
  • Another participant mentions using radial searches and photometric catalogs, indicating a willingness to provide specific information if needed.
  • A participant shares a link to an image and describes the 3D distribution of galaxies, noting that galaxies form walls and filaments and that the data reflects incomplete sky coverage.
  • One participant asserts that the center is the Milky Way, suggesting that the pie slices represent observable parts of the universe, with radial distances estimated from redshift.
  • A recommendation is made for using VizieR to study published data from SDSS and other redshift surveys, along with a method for data handling.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no clear consensus on the definition of "the center" as participants present differing views, particularly regarding the interpretation of the Milky Way's position in relation to the SDSS data.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in observational data due to dust around the Milky Way, which affects visibility and completeness of the survey's coverage.

batboy
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...With Galaxy Explorer 2.0


Hi!

I'm doing some personal reaserch on Sloan Digital Sky Survey, and I was wondering if anyone here uses this software?


If so, could you tell me what the center is?

For details of the SDSS project check the websites:
GalaxyExplorer: a 3D visualization tool: http://cas.sdss.org/dr4/en/help/download/
http://www.sdss.org/
http://skyserver.sdss.org/




thank you
 
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I use the radial search and photometric catalogues a bit. What do you need to know specifically?
 
Sorry, should've uploaded that from the beginning. I zoomed out as far I could to give some perspective. Specifically, I just wanted get some perspective about the middle. http://img446.imageshack.us/img446/9670/capture48200631255pm2vf.png Here is what the read-me says.

This program shows you the 3D distribution of galaxies observed by the Sloan
Digital Sky Survey. The data consists of the 3D positions of 131,000 galaxies
observed to date. Note, how galaxies tend to be close to one another, forming
walls and filaments.

The data is located on several 'wings', these only reflect the sky coverage,
i.e. the observations are still rather incomplete. When finished, in 2005,
there will have a full three-dimensional map of a large cone in the Northern
Sky. There will always be a gap around the plane of the Milky Way -- there is
too much dust there to see through, therefore that region was avoided.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
batboy said:
If so, could you tell me what the center is?

The center is us (the Milky Way). The pie slices are the parts of the universe that we can see with SDSS. A galaxy's radial distance from us is estimated from its redshift.
 
Thank you, SpaceTiger and matt.o.
 
I recommend VizieR if you wish to study the published data from SDSS, or other redshift surveys: http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cats/Cats.htx. I use HTML format and copy it to an MS spreadsheet:
 

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