Open AccessTests for Non-Gaussian Statistics in the DMR Four-Year Sky Maps
Author(s) -
A. Kogut,
A. J. Banday,
C. L. Bennett,
K. M. Górski,
G. Hinshaw,
G. F. Smoot,
E. L. Wright
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
the astrophysical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.376
H-Index - 489
eISSN - 1538-4357
pISSN - 0004-637X
DOI - 10.1086/310078
Subject(s) - sky , cosmic microwave background , gaussian , maxima and minima , gaussian random field , physics , correlation function (quantum field theory) , anisotropy , statistical physics , monte carlo method , gaussian function , statistics , mathematics , astrophysics , optics , mathematical analysis , quantum mechanics , spectral density
We search the high-latitude portion of the COBE Differential MicrowaveRadiometers (DMR) 4-year sky maps for evidence of a non-Gaussian temperaturedistribution in the cosmic microwave background. The genus, 3-point correlationfunction, and 2-point correlation function of temperature maxima and minima areall in excellent agreement with the hypothesis that the CMB anisotropy onangular scales of 7 degrees or larger represents a random-phase Gaussian field.A likelihood comparison of the DMR sky maps to a set of random-phasenon-Gaussian toy models selects the exact Gaussian model as most likely. MonteCarlo simulations show that the 2-point correlation of the peaks and valleys inthe maps provides the greatest discrimination among the class of models tested.Comment: 15 pages including 4 encapsulated PostScript figures. Submitted to The Astrophysical Journal (Letters
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