Cross-Correlation between UHECR Arrival Distribution and Large-Scale Structure

  • 2 December 2008
Abstract
We investigate correlation between the arrival directions of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) and the large-scale structure (LSS) of the universe by using statistical quantities which can find the angular scale of the correlation. The Infrared Astronomical Satellite Point Source Redshift Survey (IRAS PSCz) catalog of galaxies is adopted for LSS. We find a positive correlation of the highest energy events detected by the Pierre Auger Observatory (PAO) with the IRAS galaxies inside $z=0.018$ within the angular scale of $\sim 15^{\circ}$. This positive correlation observed in the southern sky implies that a significant fraction of the highest energy events comes from nearby universe. We also analise the data of Akeno Giant Air Shower Array (AGASA) which observes the northern hemisphere, and the obvious signals of positive correlation with the galaxy distribution are not found. Since the exposure of the AGASA is smaller than the PAO, the cross-correlation in the northern sky should be tested using more number of detected events in the future. We also discuss the correlation using the all-sky combined data sets of both the PAO and AGASA, and find a significant correlation within $\sim 8^{\circ}$. These angular scales can constrain several models of intergalactic magnetic field. These cross-correlation signals can be well reproduced by a source model in which the distribution of UHECR sources is associated with the IRAS galaxies.

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