Bayesian estimation of kinematic parameters of disk galaxies in large HI galaxy surveys

We present a newly developed algorithm based on a Bayesian method for 2D tilted-ring analysis of disk galaxies which operates on velocity fields. Compared to the conventional ones based on a chi-squared minimisation procedure, this new Bayesian-based algorithm less suffers from local minima of the model parameters even with high multi-modality of their posterior distributions. Moreover, the Bayesian analysis implemented via Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling only requires broad ranges of posterior distributions of the parameters, which makes the fitting procedure fully automated. This feature is essential for performing kinematic analysis of an unprecedented number of resolved galaxies from the upcoming Square Kilometre Array (SKA) pathfinders' galaxy surveys. A standalone code, the so-called '2D Bayesian Automated Tilted-ring fitter' (2DBAT) that implements the Bayesian fits of 2D tilted-ring models is developed for deriving rotation curves of galaxies that are at least marginally resolved (> 3 beams across the semi-major axis) and moderately inclined (20 < i < 70 degree). The main layout of 2DBAT and its performance test are discussed using sample galaxies from Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) observations as well as artificial data cubes built based on representative rotation curves of intermediate-mass and massive spiral galaxies.