Arrival Directions of the Most Energetic Cosmic Rays

Abstract
In this Letter we examine the arrival directions of the most energetic cosmic rays (E>2×1019eV) detected by several air shower experiments. We find that data taken by different air shower arrays show positive correlations, indicating a nonuniform arrival direction distribution. We also find that the events with energy >4×1019eV exhibit a correlation with the general direction of the supergalactic plane, where a large number of potential sources are located. If confirmed by data from other experiments our results would support models for the extragalactic origin of the highest energy cosmic rays.