Cross-correlation of WMAP7 and the WISE Full Data Release

TL;DR

This study measures the cross-correlation between WMAP7 microwave data and WISE galaxy data, confirming a positive signal consistent with Lambda-CDM cosmology, with robustness checks and comparison to preliminary results.

Contribution

It provides the first full-sky cross-correlation analysis between WMAP7 and WISE data, confirming previous findings and demonstrating robustness against various analysis choices.

Findings

Positive cross-correlation detected between WMAP7 and WISE data.

Results are consistent with Lambda-CDM cosmology.

Correlation significance aligns with cosmic variance expectations.

Abstract

We measured the cross-correlation of the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) 7 year temperature map and the full sky data release of the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) galaxy map. Using careful mapmaking and masking techniques we find a positive cross-correlation signal. The results are fully consistent with a Lambda-CDM Universe, although not statistically significant. Our findings are robust against changing the galactic latitude cut from |b|>10 to |b|>20 and no color dependence was detected when we used WMAP Q, V or W maps. We confirm higher significance correlations found in the preliminary data release. The change in significance is consistent with cosmic variance.