Results from a Sample of 1000 Field Galaxies

Abstract

The angular correlation function for galaxies with redshifts z between 0.15 and 0.85 has been measured. The data are fitted to a spatial correlation function of the form ξ(r_p) = (r ₀/ r_p)^γ(1+ z)^-(3+∊), where r _p is the proper distance, and ∊ is a measure of the evolution of the clustering. These data and other local measurements imply r ₀ = (4.8 t 0.3)h ^-1 Mpc and ∊ = -0.5 ± 0.5 for an Einstein-deSitter universe (Ω = 1). If instead Ω = 0, then ∊ = -1.3 ± 0.5; i. e., clustering was stronger in the past. Thus the data are consistent with the assumptions that Ω = 1 and that physical associations of galaxies neither expand nor contract (∊ = 0).