Abstract
An improved definition of ‘limiting magnitude’ of galaxy counts is proposed. It depends on the probability, Φ (m), of identifying and counting a galaxy of magnitudem. A plausible formula for Φ (m) containing two constants is assumed and a method for calculating the constants from observations is developed. Some of the faintest galaxies counted in the Lick galaxy program (Shane and Wirtanen, 1967) were measured photoelectrically with the Lick 120-in. telescope, and from these measures the constants in Φ(m) were determined. The resulting limiting magnitude of the Lick counts isB l=18.90.
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References
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Kron, G. E. and Shane, C. D.: 1974,Astrophys. Space Sci. 27, 233.
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Kron, G.E., Shane, C.D. Galaxy magnitudes. Astrophys Space Sci 30, 127–134 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00645758
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00645758