Global Anisotropy in Galaxy Orientations
Abstract
We suggest a new method for investigating the distribution of the orientations of galaxies. This method is used to process data from the UGC and ESO catalogues, and from the catalogue of flat edge-on galaxies compiled by the authors (FGC). A statistically significant anisotropy is detected, and possible reasons for this are analyzed. The orientation distribution is described by a three-axis ellipsoid, showing an excess of about 20 per cent in the direction 4^h^-6^h^, 20^deg^-40^deg^, and a deficit of about 25 per cent in the direction 13^h^-15^h^, 30^deg^- 40^deg^.
- Publication:
-
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- June 1994
- DOI:
- 10.1093/mnras/268.3.665
- Bibcode:
- 1994MNRAS.268..665P