Most accurate PSF reconstruction method for JWST/NIRCam AGN–host decompositions

Establish which PSF reconstruction methodology—such as x^2-based stacking of stellar images or PSFEx empirical modeling—yields the most accurate AGN–host galaxy decomposition results on JWST/NIRCam imaging, validated against ground truth or external benchmarks.

Background

The paper evaluates multiple PSF reconstruction approaches and finds broadly consistent results with method-dependent nuances; however, without a known ground truth, the authors cannot adjudicate which approach is superior for all cases.

A definitive benchmarking of PSF methods would reduce systematic uncertainties in derived host properties (e.g., Sérsic index, size, and host flux) and in turn improve constraints on the MBH–M* relation.