Ebook: Statistical Challenges in Modern Astronomy II

Modern astronomical research faces a vast range of statistical issues which have spawned a revival in methodological activity among astronomers. The Statistical Challenges in Modern Astronomy II conference, held in June 1996 at the Pennsylvania State University five years after the first conference, brought astronomers and statisticians together to discuss methodological issues of common interest. Time series analysis, image analysis, Bayesian methods, Poisson processes, nonlinear regression, maximum likelihood, multivariate classification, and wavelet and multiscale analyses were important themes. Astronomers frequently encounter troublesome situations such as heteroscedastic weighting of data, unevenly spaced time series, and selection effects leading to censoring and truncation. Many problems were introduced at the conference in the context of large-scale astronomical projects inlcuding LIGO, AXAF, XTE, Hipparcos, and digitized sky surveys.This volume will be of interest to researchers and advanced students in both fields-astronomers who seek exposure to recent developments in statistics, and statisticians interested in confronting new problems. It is edited by two faculty members of the Pennsylvania State University who have a long-standing cross-disciplinary collaboration and jointly authored the recent introductory monograph "Astrostatics." G.J. Babu is Professor of Statistics, Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, and Associate Editor of the Journal of Statistical Planning & Inference and the Journal of Nonparametric Statistics. Eric D. Feigelson is Professor of Astronomoy and Astrophysics.

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Modern astronomical research faces a vast range of statistical issues which have spawned a revival in methodological activity among astronomers. The Statistical Challenges in Modern Astronomy II conference, held in June 1996 at the Pennsylvania State University five years after the first conference, brought astronomers and statisticians together to discuss methodological issues of common interest. Time series analysis, image analysis, Bayesian methods, Poisson processes, nonlinear regression, maximum likelihood, multivariate classification, and wavelet and multiscale analyses were important themes. Astronomers frequently encounter troublesome situations such as heteroscedastic weighting of data, unevenly spaced time series, and selection effects leading to censoring and truncation. Many problems were introduced at the conference in the context of large-scale astronomical projects inlcuding LIGO, AXAF, XTE, Hipparcos, and digitized sky surveys.This volume will be of interest to researchers and advanced students in both fields-astronomers who seek exposure to recent developments in statistics, and statisticians interested in confronting new problems. It is edited by two faculty members of the Pennsylvania State University who have a long-standing cross-disciplinary collaboration and jointly authored the recent introductory monograph "Astrostatics." G.J. Babu is Professor of Statistics, Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, and Associate Editor of the Journal of Statistical Planning & Inference and the Journal of Nonparametric Statistics. Eric D. Feigelson is Professor of Astronomoy and Astrophysics.

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Modern astronomical research faces a vast range of statistical issues which have spawned a revival in methodological activity among astronomers. The Statistical Challenges in Modern Astronomy II conference, held in June 1996 at the Pennsylvania State University five years after the first conference, brought astronomers and statisticians together to discuss methodological issues of common interest. Time series analysis, image analysis, Bayesian methods, Poisson processes, nonlinear regression, maximum likelihood, multivariate classification, and wavelet and multiscale analyses were important themes. Astronomers frequently encounter troublesome situations such as heteroscedastic weighting of data, unevenly spaced time series, and selection effects leading to censoring and truncation. Many problems were introduced at the conference in the context of large-scale astronomical projects inlcuding LIGO, AXAF, XTE, Hipparcos, and digitized sky surveys.This volume will be of interest to researchers and advanced students in both fields-astronomers who seek exposure to recent developments in statistics, and statisticians interested in confronting new problems. It is edited by two faculty members of the Pennsylvania State University who have a long-standing cross-disciplinary collaboration and jointly authored the recent introductory monograph "Astrostatics." G.J. Babu is Professor of Statistics, Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, and Associate Editor of the Journal of Statistical Planning & Inference and the Journal of Nonparametric Statistics. Eric D. Feigelson is Professor of Astronomoy and Astrophysics.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xviii
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Pre and Post Least Squares: The Emergence of Robust Estimation....Pages 3-13
Some Recent Developments in Bayesian Analysis, with Astronomical Illustrations....Pages 15-48
Bayesian Analysis of Lunar Laser Ranging Data....Pages 49-65
Modern Statistical Methods for Cosmological Testing....Pages 67-81
Comparing Censoring and Random Truncation via Nonparametric Estimation of a Distribution Function....Pages 83-104
Astronomical (Heteroscedastic) Measurement Errors: Statistical Issues and Problems....Pages 105-122
New Problems and Approaches Related to Large Databases in Astronomy....Pages 123-133
Object Classification in Astronomical Images....Pages 135-151
Recent Advances in Large-scale Structure Statistics....Pages 153-171
Wavelet Transform and Multiscale Vision Models....Pages 173-184
Statistical Software, Siftware and Astronomy....Pages 185-206
Front Matter....Pages 207-207
Statistical Issues in the MACHO Project....Pages 209-224
LIGO: Identifying Gravitational Waves....Pages 225-239
AXAF Data Analysis Challenges....Pages 241-257
Statistical Aspects of the Hipparcos Photometric Data....Pages 259-280
Front Matter....Pages 281-281
Application of Wavelet Analysis to the Study of Time-dependent Spectra....Pages 283-301
Nonparametric Methods for Time Series and Dynamical Systems....Pages 303-320
Quantifying Rapid Variability in Accreting Compact Objects....Pages 321-331
Wavelet and Other Multi-resolution Methods for Time Series Analysis....Pages 333-347
Front Matter....Pages 349-349
An Overview of “SCMA II”....Pages 351-364
Front Matter....Pages 349-349
Late-Night Thoughts of a Classical Astronomer....Pages 365-385
Front Matter....Pages 387-387
Algorithms for the Detection of Monochromatic and Stochastic Gravitational Waves....Pages 389-390
Statistical Tests for Changing Periods in Sparsely Sampled Data....Pages 391-392
Analyzing X-ray Variability by Linear State Space Models....Pages 393-394
The Time Interferometer: Spectral Analysis of the Gapped Time Series from the Stand Point of Interferometry....Pages 395-396
Structures in Random Fields....Pages 397-399
The New ?-CFAR Detector For Astronomical Image Processing....Pages 401-402
Bayesian Image Reconstruction with Noise Suppression....Pages 403-404
Astronomical Images Restoration by the Multiscale Maximum Entropy Method....Pages 405-406
Nested Test for Point Sources....Pages 407-408
Segmenting Chromospheric Images with Markov Random Fields....Pages 409-411
Analysis of Hipparcos Data in the Orthonormal Wavelet Representation....Pages 413-415
Statistical Properties of Wavelet Transforms Applied to X-Ray Source Detection....Pages 417-418
Wavelet Based X-Ray Spatial Analysis: Statistical Issues....Pages 419-420
Wavelet and Multifractal Analyses of Spatial and Temporal Solar Activity Variations....Pages 421-422
Wavelets in Unevenly Spaced Data: OJ 287 light curve....Pages 423-426
Wavelet Based Analysis of Cosmic Gamma-Ray Burst Time Series....Pages 427-428
Smoothed Nonparametic Density Estimation for Censored or Truncated Samples....Pages 429-432
Luminosity and Kinematics: A Maximum Likelihood Algorithm for Exploitation of the Hipparcos Data....Pages 433-435
Assessing Statistical Accuracy to the Orbital Elements of Visual Double Stars by Means of Bootstrap....Pages 437-439
Front Matter....Pages 387-387
A Poisson Parable: Bias in Linear Least Squares Estimation....Pages 441-444
Neural Network Classification of Stellar Spectra....Pages 445-446
Multidimensional Index for Highly Clustered Data with Large Density Contrasts....Pages 447-448
Quantitative Morphology of Moderate Redshift Peculiar Galaxies....Pages 449-450
Bayesian Inference on Mixed Luminosity Functions....Pages 451-453
Stochastic Solutions for the Hipparcos Astrometric Data Merging....Pages 455-456
Identification of Nonlinear Factors in Cosmic Gamma-ray Bursts....Pages 457-458
Statistical Challenges in Asteroid Dynamics....Pages 459-459
Brief Annotated Bibliography on Point Processes....Pages 461-462
Testing the Hubble Law from Magnitude-Redshift Data of Field Galaxies: The Effect of the Shape of the Luminosity Function....Pages 463-464
Back Matter....Pages 465-469

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Modern astronomical research faces a vast range of statistical issues which have spawned a revival in methodological activity among astronomers. The Statistical Challenges in Modern Astronomy II conference, held in June 1996 at the Pennsylvania State University five years after the first conference, brought astronomers and statisticians together to discuss methodological issues of common interest. Time series analysis, image analysis, Bayesian methods, Poisson processes, nonlinear regression, maximum likelihood, multivariate classification, and wavelet and multiscale analyses were important themes. Astronomers frequently encounter troublesome situations such as heteroscedastic weighting of data, unevenly spaced time series, and selection effects leading to censoring and truncation. Many problems were introduced at the conference in the context of large-scale astronomical projects inlcuding LIGO, AXAF, XTE, Hipparcos, and digitized sky surveys.This volume will be of interest to researchers and advanced students in both fields-astronomers who seek exposure to recent developments in statistics, and statisticians interested in confronting new problems. It is edited by two faculty members of the Pennsylvania State University who have a long-standing cross-disciplinary collaboration and jointly authored the recent introductory monograph "Astrostatics." G.J. Babu is Professor of Statistics, Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, and Associate Editor of the Journal of Statistical Planning & Inference and the Journal of Nonparametric Statistics. Eric D. Feigelson is Professor of Astronomoy and Astrophysics.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xviii
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Pre and Post Least Squares: The Emergence of Robust Estimation....Pages 3-13
Some Recent Developments in Bayesian Analysis, with Astronomical Illustrations....Pages 15-48
Bayesian Analysis of Lunar Laser Ranging Data....Pages 49-65
Modern Statistical Methods for Cosmological Testing....Pages 67-81
Comparing Censoring and Random Truncation via Nonparametric Estimation of a Distribution Function....Pages 83-104
Astronomical (Heteroscedastic) Measurement Errors: Statistical Issues and Problems....Pages 105-122
New Problems and Approaches Related to Large Databases in Astronomy....Pages 123-133
Object Classification in Astronomical Images....Pages 135-151
Recent Advances in Large-scale Structure Statistics....Pages 153-171
Wavelet Transform and Multiscale Vision Models....Pages 173-184
Statistical Software, Siftware and Astronomy....Pages 185-206
Front Matter....Pages 207-207
Statistical Issues in the MACHO Project....Pages 209-224
LIGO: Identifying Gravitational Waves....Pages 225-239
AXAF Data Analysis Challenges....Pages 241-257
Statistical Aspects of the Hipparcos Photometric Data....Pages 259-280
Front Matter....Pages 281-281
Application of Wavelet Analysis to the Study of Time-dependent Spectra....Pages 283-301
Nonparametric Methods for Time Series and Dynamical Systems....Pages 303-320
Quantifying Rapid Variability in Accreting Compact Objects....Pages 321-331
Wavelet and Other Multi-resolution Methods for Time Series Analysis....Pages 333-347
Front Matter....Pages 349-349
An Overview of “SCMA II”....Pages 351-364
Front Matter....Pages 349-349
Late-Night Thoughts of a Classical Astronomer....Pages 365-385
Front Matter....Pages 387-387
Algorithms for the Detection of Monochromatic and Stochastic Gravitational Waves....Pages 389-390
Statistical Tests for Changing Periods in Sparsely Sampled Data....Pages 391-392
Analyzing X-ray Variability by Linear State Space Models....Pages 393-394
The Time Interferometer: Spectral Analysis of the Gapped Time Series from the Stand Point of Interferometry....Pages 395-396
Structures in Random Fields....Pages 397-399
The New ?-CFAR Detector For Astronomical Image Processing....Pages 401-402
Bayesian Image Reconstruction with Noise Suppression....Pages 403-404
Astronomical Images Restoration by the Multiscale Maximum Entropy Method....Pages 405-406
Nested Test for Point Sources....Pages 407-408
Segmenting Chromospheric Images with Markov Random Fields....Pages 409-411
Analysis of Hipparcos Data in the Orthonormal Wavelet Representation....Pages 413-415
Statistical Properties of Wavelet Transforms Applied to X-Ray Source Detection....Pages 417-418
Wavelet Based X-Ray Spatial Analysis: Statistical Issues....Pages 419-420
Wavelet and Multifractal Analyses of Spatial and Temporal Solar Activity Variations....Pages 421-422
Wavelets in Unevenly Spaced Data: OJ 287 light curve....Pages 423-426
Wavelet Based Analysis of Cosmic Gamma-Ray Burst Time Series....Pages 427-428
Smoothed Nonparametic Density Estimation for Censored or Truncated Samples....Pages 429-432
Luminosity and Kinematics: A Maximum Likelihood Algorithm for Exploitation of the Hipparcos Data....Pages 433-435
Assessing Statistical Accuracy to the Orbital Elements of Visual Double Stars by Means of Bootstrap....Pages 437-439
Front Matter....Pages 387-387
A Poisson Parable: Bias in Linear Least Squares Estimation....Pages 441-444
Neural Network Classification of Stellar Spectra....Pages 445-446
Multidimensional Index for Highly Clustered Data with Large Density Contrasts....Pages 447-448
Quantitative Morphology of Moderate Redshift Peculiar Galaxies....Pages 449-450
Bayesian Inference on Mixed Luminosity Functions....Pages 451-453
Stochastic Solutions for the Hipparcos Astrometric Data Merging....Pages 455-456
Identification of Nonlinear Factors in Cosmic Gamma-ray Bursts....Pages 457-458
Statistical Challenges in Asteroid Dynamics....Pages 459-459
Brief Annotated Bibliography on Point Processes....Pages 461-462
Testing the Hubble Law from Magnitude-Redshift Data of Field Galaxies: The Effect of the Shape of the Luminosity Function....Pages 463-464
Back Matter....Pages 465-469
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