Gaussian Statistics of the Cosmic Microwave Background:Correlation of Temperature Extrema In the COBE DMR Two-Year SkyMaps

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994 · Astrophysical Journal

OSTI ID:895800

Kogut, A; Banday, A J; Bennett, C L; Hinshaw, G; Lubin, P M; Smoot, G F

We use the two-point correlation function of the extremapoints (peaks and valleys) in the COBE Differential Microwave Radiometers(DMR) 2 year sky maps as a test for non-Gaussian temperature distributionin the cosmic microwave background anisotropy. A maximum-likelihoodanalysis compares the DMR data to n = 1 toy models whose random-phasespherical harmonic components a(lm) are drawn from either Gaussian,chi(2), or log-normal parent populations. The likelihood of the 53 GHz(A+B)/2 data is greatest for the exact Gaussian model. There is less than10 percent chance that the non-Gaussian models tested describe the DMRdata, limited primarily by type II errors in the statistical inference.The extrema correlation function is a stronger test for this class ofnon-Gaussian models than topological statistics such as thegenus.

• Research Organization: COLLABORATION - NASA
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 895800
• Report Number(s): LBNL--62020
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 2pt2 Vol. 439
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English