Distance Calculations of Faint Dwarf Galaxies Through Surface Brightness Fluctuations

Authors

• Blake A. Richesin, Dartmouth CollegeFollow
• Guinevere Herron, Dartmouth CollegeFollow
• Burçin Mutlu-Pakdil, Dartmouth CollegeFollow

Files

Student Class

2028

Student Affiliation

URAD

First Advisor

Guinevere Herron

First Advisor Department

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Second Advisor

Burçin Mutlu-Pakdil

Second Advisor Department

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

This study aims to test the effectiveness of the surface brightness fluctuations (SBF) technique in determining the distance to three distinct galaxy targets. The targets were dwarf galaxies Tucana B, Kamino, and Hedgehog. The technique used image masking, Sérsic profiles, and convolving with point spread functions (PSF). The study showed that redder, quenched galaxies are prime candidates for the SBF technique, while bluer, star-forming galaxies are more difficult to constrain the distance of.

Publication Date

Spring 5-27-2026

Keywords

astronomy, physics, surface brightness fluctuations, galaxies. masking, sersic, psf

Disciplines

Astrophysics and Astronomy | External Galaxies | Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Dartmouth Digital Commons Citation

Richesin, Blake A.; Herron, Guinevere; and Mutlu-Pakdil, Burçin, "Distance Calculations of Faint Dwarf Galaxies Through Surface Brightness Fluctuations" (2026). Wetterhahn Science Symposium Posters. 13.
https://digitalcommons.dartmouth.edu/wetterhahnsymposiumposters/13