Identification and Characterization of Stellar Bars: A Combined Approach of Isophote and Fourier Analysis

In this paper, we analyze the surface photometry of 42 spiral galaxies from the SDSS Data Release 3 in the r band, focusing on bar identification and characteristics in the local universe. Using ISOPHOTE and P2DFFT, we measure bar length and strength through elliptical isophote fitting and two-dimensional Fourier transforms. Surface photometry is crucial for studying galaxy morphology, revealing information about size, shape, and dynamics. Our study identified barred spiral galaxies with a frequency of 33% using Elliptical Isophote Analysis and 23% using Fourier Analysis. By combining both methods, we achieve a more comprehensive assessment, allowing for the precise measurement of bar length and strength. These methods are complementary and particularly effective for galaxies with large bulges and prominent spiral arms. Our ongoing research aims to extend this approach with automated applications to a larger sample of galaxies.