Clustering, Isotropy, and Redshift Cutoff

Abstract

The topics of clustering, isotropy, and redshift cutoff are in reality just different aspects of the problem of the three-dimensional distribution of quasars, assuming, of course that the redshifts are cosmological and therefore an indication of radial distance. The distribution in redshift has additional interest because of the substantial lookback times involved, up to four fifths of the age of the universe. The radial variation of quasar density between redshift zero and two, and the attendant questions of density and luminosity evolution, are discussed elsewhere in this symposium by Green and shall not be treated here. Rather we shall concern ourselves with the behavior at redshifts larger than two and the specific question of a steep decline of quasar density at redshifts near three. For simplicity we may characterize the problem as one of studying either the formation of quasars as we normally see them in a cosmologically short time or of the properties of the universe and its optical depth, should intergalactic absorption contribute significantly to blocking our view at redshift three. Of course other hypotheses are also possible.