Two-Dimensional Correlation Function of Binary Black Hole Coalescences
We compute the two-dimensional correlation functions of the binary black hole coalescence detections in LIGO-Virgo’s first and second observation runs. The sky distribution of binary black hole coalescence events is tested for correlations at different angular scales by comparing the observed correl...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2020-07-01
|
| Series: | Universe |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/6/7/93 |
| Summary: | We compute the two-dimensional correlation functions of the binary black hole coalescence detections in LIGO-Virgo’s first and second observation runs. The sky distribution of binary black hole coalescence events is tested for correlations at different angular scales by comparing the observed correlation function to two reference functions that are obtained from mock datasets of localization error regions uniformly distributed in the sky. No excess correlation at any angular scale is found. The power-law slope of the correlation function is estimated to be <inline-formula> <math display="inline"> <semantics> <mrow> <mi>γ</mi> <mo>=</mo> <mn>2.24</mn> <mo>±</mo> <mn>0.33</mn> </mrow> </semantics> </math> </inline-formula> at the three-<inline-formula> <math display="inline"> <semantics> <mi>σ</mi> </semantics> </math> </inline-formula> confidence level, a value consistent with the measured distribution of galaxies. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2218-1997 |