HI SELECTION EFFECTS AND THE GALAXY MASS FUNCTION
Stephen E. Schneider
Astronomy Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
Abstract. Many factors shape our view of the extragalactic universe.
Chief among these are selection effects introduced by the sensitivity
of astronomical instruments, competition with background noise and
confusing sources of emission, and preconceptions about the nature
of galaxies. In this chapter I examine selection effects from a general
standpoint, mainly considering their influence on optical and HI
observations, and conclude with presentation of results from a new
Arecibo survey of a slice of the extragalactic sky at 21 cm.
This new survey represents the most sensitive survey to date, covering
about 50 square degrees at high Galactic latitudes,
and uncovering a large population of previously uncataloged objects.
I derive an HI luminosity function and conclude with an estimate of
the total mass function of galaxies based on these data.
Key Words: selection effects, HI surveys, galaxies, luminosity
function, Omega
For a postscript version of the article, click
here.
INTRODUCTION
THE GALACTIC SPECTRUM
LUMINOSITY FUNCTIONS
SELECTION EFFECTS
HI SURVEYS
THE ARECIBO SLICE SURVEY
A GALLERY OF HI-SELECTED GALAXIES
THE HI LUMINOSITY FUNCTION
REFERENCES
