The cut-sky cosmic microwave background is not anomalous

Details The cut-sky cosmic microwave background is not anomalous The cut-sky cosmic microwave background is not anomalous

2010-04-15

arxiv.org/abs/1004.2706v3

Phys.Rev.D81:103008, 2010

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics

PRD in press. Extremely minor updates, mirroring typographical changes made in proof

Scientific paper

10.1103/PhysRevD.81.103008

The observed angular correlation function of the cosmic microwave background has previously been reported to be anomalous, particularly when measured in regions of the sky uncontaminated by Galactic emission. Recent work by Efstathiou et al. presents a Bayesian comparison of isotropic theories, casting doubt on the significance of the purported anomaly. We extend this analysis to all anisotropic Gaussian theories with vanishing mean ( = 0), using the much wider class of models to confirm that the anomaly is not likely to point to new physics. On the other hand if there is any new physics to be gleaned, it results from low-l alignments which will be better quantified by a full-sky statistic. We also consider quadratic maximum likelihood power spectrum estimators that are constructed assuming isotropy. The underlying assumptions are therefore false if the ensemble is anisotropic. Nonetheless we demonstrate that, for theories compatible with the observed sky, these estimators (while no longer optimal) remain statistically superior to pseudo-C_l power spectrum estimators.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The cut-sky cosmic microwave background is not anomalous does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The cut-sky cosmic microwave background is not anomalous, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The cut-sky cosmic microwave background is not anomalous will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-622707