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Orientations, ellipticities and nearest-neighbor correlations in rich clusters of galaxies
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Orientations, ellipticities and nearest-neighbor correlations in rich clusters of galaxies

M.P. Ulmer, S.L.W. McMillan and M.P. Kowalski
Advances in space research, v 10(2), pp 13-15
1990

Abstract

Using the Einstein Observatory data base, we have analyzed X-ray images of rich clusters of galaxies to determine the ellipticity of the images. The basic premise behind this analysis is that if “top-down” scenarios of supercluster/cluster formation hold, then clusters should “point” towards their nearest neighbor rich cluster, if the nearest-neighbor cluster is less than some specific distance away. Optical data hinted that such an effect existed as long as the cluster/nearest- neighbor separation was under about 25 Mpc (Hubble constant = 50 km/sec/Mpc). Our own analysis shows no such effect, which favors “bottom up” scenarios of galaxy/cluster formation.

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