Searching for sources of the highest energy cosmic rays: low statistics, pitfalls, and possible clues
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The clustering properties of the highest energy cosmic rays and their correlations with candidate sources are re-examined using the most recently available AGASA data and a rigorous correlation analysis. The statistical methodology incorporates some important points not considered in previous studies. Results include small angle clustering significances consistent with, but somewhat less than, earlier findings, a possible large scale anisotropy for events with energies $E \approx 5 - 8 \times 10^{19} \mathrm{eV}$, and no statistically significant cross correlations with BL Lacertae or blazars. A marginally significant cross correlation exists for events with energies $E > 8 \times 10^{19} \mathrm{eV}$ with a set of Abell clusters, but no definitive conclusion can yet be drawn from this result.
Paper presented at 8th Intl. Workshop in Topics in Astroparticle and Underground Physics (TAUP 2003)
Paper presented at 8th Intl. Workshop in Topics in Astroparticle and Underground Physics (TAUP 2003)