Does the Universe Have a Handedness?
Abstract
Description
In this article I study the distribution of spiral galaxies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) to investigate whether the universe has an overall handedness. A preference for spiral galaxies in one sector of the sky to be left-handed or right-handed spirals would indicate a preferred handedness. The SDSS data show a strong signal for such an asymmetry with a probability of occurring by chance ~3.0 x 10-4. The asymmetry axis is at (RA,Dec) ~(202d,25d) with an uncertainty ~15d. The axis appears to be correlated with that of the quadrupole and octopole moments in the WMAP microwave sky survey, an unlikely alignment that has been dubbed "the axis of evil". Our Galaxy is aligned with its spin axis within 8.4d of this spiral axis.
Analysis has been revised considerably to use data more efficiently. Statistical significance has improved to ~3x10-4 and estimate of RA,Dec of preferred axis at (202d,25d) is now possible. Considerable changes in Discussion have been made
Analysis has been revised considerably to use data more efficiently. Statistical significance has improved to ~3x10-4 and estimate of RA,Dec of preferred axis at (202d,25d) is now possible. Considerable changes in Discussion have been made