An Application of Monte Carlo Markov Chains for the Analysis of Astronomical Data

Dr. Massimiliano Bonamente

Department of Physics
University of Alabama in Huntsville

28 October 2011
Shelby Center 218
3:00 (Refreshements at 2:30)

Abstract

Monte Carlo Markov Chain (MCMC) methods are becoming the predominant methods of analysis for astronomical data of all types, and in many other fields of science. In this talk, I will review the application of a MCMC method for the analysis of X-ray and radio observations of galaxy clusters, with the goal of measuring the mass of galaxy clusters and the cosmological parameters. The implementation of the MCMC is based on a Metropolis-Hastings algorithm, and it permits a rapid exploration of a multi-parametric parameter space. The method results in confidence intervals for all interesting parameters, and the ability to account for any number of uninteresting parameters.