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J. Rhodes (Princeton Univ.)
We present a method for using the WFPC2 on the HST to study weak lensing by large-scale structure. Weak lensing by large-scale structure allows us to examine the dark matter distribution directly. We examine the power spectrum of this distribution using the galaxies in the Groth Strip, a set of 28 contiguous HST pointings covering about 110 square arcminutes and subtending 3/4 of a degree on the sky. The weak lensing induced ellipticities are small and are of the same order as the ellipticities induced by the PSF of the HST and by the distortion of the WFPC2. Careful correction for these factors is therefore required. A two step process using stellar data is outlined for correcting the galaxy ellipticities for these factors, showing the viability of using the WFPC2 for studies of weak lensing by large scale structure.
The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: jrhodes@pupgg.princeton.edu