Regularity in the distribution of superclusters?

Abstract

We use a measure of clustering derived from the nearest neighbour distribution and the void probability function to distinguish between regular and clustered structures. This measure offers a succinct way to incorporate additional information beyond the two-point correlation function. Application to a supercluster catalogue by Einasto et al. (1997) reveals no clustering in the distribution of superclusters. However, we show that this supercluster catalogue is severely affected by construction effects. Taking these biases into account we still find some indications for regularity on the largest scales, but the significance is only at the one-sigma level.