Search for non-Gaussianities in the WMAP data with the Scaling Index Method

TL;DR

This paper reviews the application of the Scaling Index Method to WMAP data, revealing significant non-Gaussianities and asymmetries in the Cosmic Microwave Background, surpassing previous detection significance levels.

Contribution

It demonstrates the effectiveness of the Scaling Index Method in detecting non-Gaussian features in CMB data, providing the highest significance detections to date.

Findings

Strong evidence for non-Gaussianities in WMAP data

Detection of asymmetries and local features

Highest significance levels achieved in non-Gaussianity detection

Abstract

In the recent years, non-Gaussianity and statistical isotropy of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) was investigated with various statistical measures, first and foremost by means of the measurements of the WMAP satellite. In this Review, we focus on the analyses that were accomplished with a measure of local type, the so-called Scaling Index Method (SIM). The SIM is able to detect structural characteristics of a given data set, and has proven to be highly valuable in CMB analysis. It was used for comparing the data set with simulations as well as surrogates, which are full sky maps generated by randomisation of previously selected features of the original map. During these investigations, strong evidence for non-Gaussianities as well as asymmetries and local features could be detected. In combination with the surrogates approach, the SIM detected the highest significances for non-Gaussianity to date.