Flexion simulation

GalFlex is an open-source Python module that simulates second-order weak gravitational lensing effects (flexion), along with shear and convergence, on simulated source images.

The module is meant to provide a quick, easy, and intuitive user interface for simulating images from input catalogs or directly from a file. By keeping dependencies strictly in Python, GalFlex forgoes a building process, and does not have a complicated structure.

GalFlex operates in real-space, drawing a finely meshed matrix, and performing the second-order lensing effect based on input shear and flexion values. The images are represented in the form of a 2-dimensional, NxN numpy array. These allow greater transparency in the heart of the code, with operations running almost as quickly as the equivalent C code.

Interface with GalSim

GalFlex can also easily be integrated into the modular image simulation toolkit, GalSim. GalSim is a collaborative, open source project to create the software needed for the GREAT3 challenge, and provide an image simulation tool of enduring benefit to the academic community.

Contact

justin.bird (@) drexel.edu