Galaxy triplets alignment in large-scale filaments

Abstract

ABSTRACT Leveraging the data sets of galaxy triplets and large-scale filaments obtained from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, we scrutinize the alignment of the three sides of the triangles formed by galaxy triplets and the normal vectors of the triplet planes within observed large-scale filaments. Our statistical investigation reveals that the longest and median sides of the galaxy triplets exhibit a robust alignment with the spines of their host large-scale filaments, while the shortest sides show no or only weak alignment with the filaments. Additionally, the normal vectors of triplets tend to be perpendicular to the filaments. The alignment signal diminishes rapidly with the increasing distance from the triplet to the filament spine, and is primarily significant for triplets located within distances shorter than 0.2 Mpc$/h$, with a confidence level exceeding $20\sigma$. Moreover, in comparison to compact galaxy triplets, the alignment signal is more conspicuous among the loose triplets. This alignment analysis contributes to the formulation of a framework depicting the clustering and relaxation of galaxies within cosmological large-scale filament regimes, providing deeper insights into the intricate interactions between galaxies and their pivotal role in shaping galaxy groups.