A new generation of galaxy surveys is at our doorstep. By mapping billions of galaxies over the sky, they will deliver precision constraints on the cosmological model. The significant gains in constraining power are accompanied by the need to develop more accurate models of galaxy shapes. Several physical effects will come into play that could be neglected or simplified in previous analyses. I will discuss the constraining power of upcoming surveys, focusing mostly on Rubin Observatory, and the modelling challenges they face. Amongst such challenges, I will focus mostly on the “intrinsic alignments” of galaxies: alignments between their shapes that are likely to arise from tidal interactions between them. I will describe some new modelling strategies that could help reduce their impact on cosmological constraints. Finally, I will present some opportunities that arise for using intrinsic alignments themselves as a probe of cosmology and galaxy evolution.

Local contact: Martin KILBINGER

Organizer: Fabian HERVAS PETERS