Scale-invariant clustering in the large-scale distribution of galaxies
L. Guzzo, Angela Iovino, Guido L. Chincarini, Riccardo Giovanelli, Martha P. Haynes · The Astrophysical Journal · 1991
We explore the scaling properties of galaxy clustering through an analysis of the new redshift survey of the Perseus-Pisces region and of other published data. At small separations we measure the "standard" scaling, with the well-known correlation dimension D ~1.2 shown by the two-point correlation analyses. On larger scales, however, we evidence the existence of a second range with a different scaling characterized by a correlation dimension D ~ 2.2. Homogeneity seems to be reached for separations > 30h^-1^ Mpc. We discuss the possible implications of this result concerning the origin of structure. Interpreting the large-scale D ~ 2 range as due to fluctuations which are still in the linear regime, it provides evidence that the present structure could have developed from simple scale-free initial conditions characterized by a power spectrum |δ_k_|^2^ is proportional to k^-2^.