The implications of the large scale galaxy power spectrum for Cold Dark Matter

Abstract

The APM Galaxy Survey maps the angular positions of more than one million galaxies to $b_{J} = 20$, covering a volume comparable to the forthcoming Sloan Digital Sky Survey. A numerical algorithm has been developed to estimate the power spectrum in three dimensions, using the angular clustering and a model for the redshift distribution of APM Galaxies. The power spectrum obtained is free from distortions of the pattern of clustering caused by the peculiar motions of galaxies. We discuss the uncertainties in the estimated power spectrum and describe tests of the algorithm using large numerical simulations. The APM Galaxy power spectrum shows an inflection at a wavenumber $k \sim 0.15 h/Mpc$, with evidence for a peak or turnover in the range $ k \sim 0.03-0.06 h/Mpc$. These features can place strong constraints on Cold Dark Matter models for structure formation.