arXiv subjects

Vicent J. Martinez

Publications and source records attributed to Vicent J. Martinez.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv1999

Comparing estimators of the galaxy correlation function

We present a systematic comparison of some usual estimators of the 2--point correlation function, some of them currently used in Cosmology, others extensively employed in the field of the statistical analysis of point processes. At small scales, it is known that the correlation function follows reasonably well a power--law expression $ξ(r) \propto r^{-γ}$. The accurate determination of the exponent $γ$ (the order of the pole) depends on the estimator used for $ξ(r)$; on the other hand, its behavior at large scale gives information on a possible trend to homogeneity. We study the concept, the possible bias, the dependence on random samples and the errors of each estimator. Errors are computed by means of artificial catalogues of Cox processes for which the analytical expression of the correlation function is known. We also introduce a new method for extracting simulated galaxy samples from cosmological simulations.

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arXiv1999

The roughness of the last scattering surface

We propose an alternative analysis of the microwave background temperature anisotropy maps that is based on the study of the roughness of natural surfaces. We apply it to large angle anisotropies, such as those measured by COBE-DMR. We show that for a large signal to noise experiment, the spectral index can be determined independently of the normalization. We then analyze the 4 yr COBE map and find for a flat $Ω=1$ universe, that the best-fitting value for the spectral index is $n = 1.15^{+0.39}_{-0.34}$ and for the amplitude $Q_{rms-PS}= 14.1^{+3.9}_{-3.5}μK$. For $n=1$, the best-fitting normalization is $Q_{rms-PS}|_{n=1}= 16.2^{+1.4}_{-1.3}μK$.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1998

A global descriptor of spatial pattern interaction in the galaxy distribution

We present the function J as a morphological descriptor for point patterns formed by the distribution of galaxies in the Universe. This function was recently introduced in the field of spatial statistics, and is based on the nearest neighbor distribution and the void probability function. The J descriptor allows to distinguish clustered (i.e. correlated) from ``regular'' (i.e. anti-correlated) point distributions. We outline the theoretical foundations of the method, perform tests with a Matern cluster process as an idealised model of galaxy clustering, and apply the descriptor to galaxies and loose groups in the Perseus-Pisces Survey. A comparison with mock-samples extracted from a mixed dark matter simulation shows that the J descriptor can be profitably used to constrain (in this case reject) viable models of cosmic structure formation.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1998

Searching for the scale of homogeneity

We introduce a statistical quantity, known as the $K$ function, related to the integral of the two--point correlation function. It gives us straightforward information about the scale where clustering dominates and the scale at which homogeneity is reached. We evaluate the correlation dimension, $D_2$, as the local slope of the log--log plot of the $K$ function. We apply this statistic to several stochastic point fields, to three numerical simulations describing the distribution of clusters and finally to real galaxy redshift surveys. Four different galaxy catalogues have been analysed using this technique: the Center for Astrophysics I, the Perseus--Pisces redshift surveys (these two lying in our local neighbourhood), the Stromlo--APM and the 1.2 Jy {\it IRAS} redshift surveys (these two encompassing a larger volume). In all cases, this cumulant quantity shows the fingerprint of the transition to homogeneity. The reliability of the estimates is clearly demonstrated by the results from controllable point sets, such as the segment Cox processes. In the cluster distribution models, as well as in the real galaxy catalogues, we never see long plateaus when plotting $D_2$ as a function of the scale, leaving no hope for unbounded fractal distributions.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1996

Measures of the galaxy clustering

A brief introduction is given to some aspects of the statistical description of the luminous matter distribution. I review the features of the redshift surveys that arise in the statistical analysis of the galaxy clustering. Special topics include intensity functions, correlation functions, correlation integrals, multifractals and multiscaling.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1996

Multiscaling

We introduce the unbiased way statisticians look at the 2--point correlation function and study its relation to multifractal analysis. We apply this method to a simulation of the distribution of galaxy clusters in order to check the dependence of the correlation dimension on the cluster richness.

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