Description
The application of basis function expansions to imaging is still in early stages, but shows significant promise for quantifying galaxy morphology at even the highest redshifts. We will present a novel technique using Fourier series and Laguerre polynomial EXpansions (FLEX) to represent high-redshift disc galaxy images from JWST and HST. As a first application, we studied the evolution of disc asymmetry in a sample of disc galaxies, showing that when viewed in shorter rest frame wavelengths, disc galaxies have a higher asymmetry as the flux is dominated by star forming regions. Conversely, disc galaxies exhibit generally low asymmetry at rest frame infrared wavelengths, where FLEX tracks asymmetry in morphological features such as bars and spiral arms. We will show that higher mass galaxies have lower asymmetry and vice versa: the higher asymmetry in lower mass galaxies comes from lower mass galaxies (typically) having higher star formation rates. We also use FLEX to reveal that there is no relationship between disc galaxy asymmetry and redshift. As a second application, we will show how FLEX can be used to create sonifications of the JWST galaxies. FLEX provides a robust quantitative framework for creating sonified galaxies, with great potential for interpretive power. We also will present the software pipeline and the available quantitative analysis available for each galaxy.
