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Title: The surface brightness test for the expansion of the universe. III - Reduction of data for the several brightest galaxies in clusters to standard conditions and a first indication that the expansion is real

Journal Article · · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/169832· OSTI ID:5596499
;  [1]
  1. Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, Pasadena, CA (USA) Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (USA)

Petrosian radii, effective radii, apparent magnitudes, and average surface brightnesses are presented for the first few ranked galaxies in 56 nearby clusters and groups. The correlations between (SB) and both M and R are derived from the data, and a selection effect that imitates a Tolman signal in these data but which is an artifact of the sample is discussed. Correction procedures are applied to the high-redshift galaxy sample of Djorgovski and Spinrad (1981),C and a well-defined Tolman signal is found in the data. Although this appears to be strong proof that the universe expands and therefore that the conventional interpretation of the redshift is correct, the reliability of the conclusion is cautioned. Methods to optimize the Tolman test in future observational programs are discussed. 66 refs.

OSTI ID:
5596499
Journal Information:
Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Vol. 370; ISSN 0004-637X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English