The SDSS-IV MaNGA Sample: Design, Optimization, and Usage Considerations

Understand

We describe the sample design for the SDSS-IV MaNGA survey and present the final properties of the main samples along with important considerations for using these samples for science.

• Our target selection criteria were developed while simultaneously optimizing the size distribution of the MaNGA integral field units (IFUs), the IFU allocation strategy, and the target density to produce a survey defined in terms of maximizing S/N, spatial resolution, and sample size.
• Our selection strategy makes use of redshift limits that only depend on i-band absolute magnitude ($M_i$), or, for a small subset of our sample, $M_i$ and color (NUV-i).
• Such a strategy ensures that all galaxies span the same range in angular size irrespective of luminosity and are therefore covered evenly by the adopted range of IFU sizes.