The SAMI Galaxy Survey: instrument specification and target selection

TLDR

The GAMA regions were chosen for their extensive ancillary data spanning ultraviolet to radio wavelengths. The survey aims to observe 3400 galaxies with redshifts 0.004–0.095, r‑band magnitudes <19.4, and stellar masses 10^7–10^12 M⊙, while presenting system throughput and target‑selection specifications. The SAMI Galaxy Survey uses the Sydney‑AAO Multi‑object Integral‑field spectrograph on the Anglo‑Australian Telescope to observe 3400 galaxies across four volume‑limited samples and dwarf galaxies selected from GAMA, covering 144 sq deg on the celestial equator and eight clusters with existing spectroscopy and photometry.

Abstract

The SAMI Galaxy Survey will observe 3400 galaxies with the Sydney-AAO Multi-object Integral-field spectrograph (SAMI) on the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) in a 3-year survey which began in 2013. We present the throughput of the SAMI system, the science basis and specifications for the target selection, the survey observation plan and the combined properties of the selected galaxies. The survey includes four volume limited galaxy samples based on cuts in a proxy for stellar mass, along with low-stellar mass dwarf galaxies all selected from the Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey. The GAMA regions were selected because of the vast array of ancillary data available, including ultraviolet through to radio bands. These fields are on the celestial equator at 9, 12, and 14.5 hours, and cover a total of 144 square degrees (in GAMA-I). Higher density environments are also included with the addition of eight clusters. The clusters have spectroscopy from 2dFGRS and SDSS and photometry in regions covered by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and/or VLT Survey Telescope/ATLAS. The aim is to cover a broad range in stellar mass and environment, and therefore the primary survey targets cover redshifts 0.004 < z < 0.095, magnitudes r$_{pet}$ < 19.4, stellar masses $10^{7} - 10^{12}$ M$_{sol}$, and environments from isolated field galaxies through groups to clusters of $10^{15}$ M$_{sol}$.