The supercluster-void network - II. An oscillating cluster correlation function (original) (raw)

We use rich clusters of galaxies in the Northern and Southern Galactic hemispheres up to a redshift z = 0.12 to determine the cluster correlation function for a separation interval ≈ 650 h −1 Mpc (h is the Hubble constant in units of 100 km s −1 Mpc −1 ). We show that superclusters of galaxies and voids between them form a moderately regular network. As a result the correlation function determined for clusters located in rich superclusters oscillates: it has a series of regularly spaced secondary maxima and minima. The scale of the supercluster-void network, determined from the period of oscillations, is P = 115 ± 15 h −1 Mpc. Five periods are observed. The correlation function found for clusters in poor and medium rich superclusters is zero on large scales. The correlation functions calculated separately for the Northern and Southern Galactic hemispheres are similar. The amplitude of oscillations for clusters in the Southern hemisphere is larger by a factor of about 1.5.