RCSLenS: A new estimator for large-scale galaxy-matter correlations

We present measurements of the galaxy bias b and the galaxy-matter cross-correlation coefficient r for the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey LOWZ luminous red galaxy sample. Using a new statistical weak lensing analysis of the Red Cluster Sequence Lensing Survey (RCSLenS), we find the bias properties of this sample to be higher than previously reported with b=2.45_{-0.05}^{+0.05} and r=1.64_{-0.16}^{+0.17} on scales between 3 and 20 arcmin. We repeat the measurement for angular scales of 20 arcmin ≤ ϑ ≤ 70 arcmin, which yields b=2.39_{-0.07}^{+0.07} and r=1.24_{-0.25}^{+0.26}. This is the first application of a data compression analysis using a complete set of discrete estimators for galaxy-galaxy lensing and galaxy clustering. As cosmological data sets grow, our new method of data compression will become increasingly important in order to interpret joint weak lensing and galaxy clustering measurements and to estimate the data covariance. In future studies, this formalism can be used as a tool to study the large-scale structure of the Universe to yield a precise determination of cosmological parameters.