HI galaxy simulations for the SKA: Number counts and bias

Abstract

This chapter describes the assumed specifications and sensitivities for HI galaxy surveys with SKA1 and SKA2. It addresses the expected galaxy number densities based on available simulations as well as the clustering bias over the underlying dark matter. It is shown that a SKA1 HI galaxy survey should be able to find around 5×106 galaxies over 5,000 deg2 (up to z ∼ 0:8), while SKA2 should find ∼ 109 galaxies over 30,000 deg2 (up to z ∼ 2:5). The numbers presented here have been used throughout the cosmology chapters for forecasting.