Surface Brightness Fluctuations

Understand

The Surface Brightness Fluctuation (SBF) method is a powerful tool for determining distances to early-type galaxies.

• The method measures the intrinsic variance in a galaxy's surface brightness distribution to determine its distance with an accuracy of about 5%.
• Here, we discuss the mathematical formalism behind the SBF technique, its calibration, and the practicalities of how measurements are performed.
• We review the various sources of uncertainties that affect the method and discuss how they can be minimized or controlled through careful observations and data analysis.