Abstract
We present results from a first test of the Gaussianity of degree-scale cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy. We investigate Gaussianity of the CMB anisotropy by studying the topology of CMB anisotropy maps from the QMAP and Saskatoon experiments. We also study the QMASK map, a combination map of the QMAP and Saskatoon data. We measure the genus from noise-suppressed Wiener-filtered maps at an angular scale of about 1.5 degrees. To test the Gaussianity of the observed anisotropy, we compare these results to those derived from a collection of simulated maps for each experiment in a Gaussian spatially-flat cosmological constant dominated cold dark matter model. The genus-threshold level relations of the QMAP and Saskatoon maps are consistent with Gaussianity. While the combination QMASK map has a mildly non-Gaussian genus curve which is not a consequence of known foreground contamination, this result is not statistically significant at the 2 sigma level. These results extend previous upper limits on the non-Gaussianity of the large angular scale (> 10 degrees) CMB anisotropy (measured by the COBE DMR experiment) down to degree angular scales.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
