[Paper Review] Large Scale Structure. The seventies & Forty years later: From Clusters to Clusters

G. Chincarini|arXiv (Cornell University)|May 13, 2013

History and Developments in Astronomy3 references3 citations

TL;DR

This paper presents a personal historical account of the emergence of large-scale structure cosmology, tracing the shift from a two-dimensional view of galaxy clustering in the 1960s to the three-dimensional discovery of superclusters, filaments, and voids via early redshift surveys in the 1970s. It highlights the pivotal role of spectroscopic surveys—particularly the CfA survey—in revealing the cosmic web and advocating for deep cluster surveys to improve cosmological constraints through cluster evolution with redshift.

ABSTRACT

I describe the beginning, ~ 1970, of the spectroscopic redshift surveys and the discovery of the superclusters filamentary structures and voids. This changed the view of the distribution of luminous light from the way we knew it at the end of the sixties, a uniform distribution of galaxies with clusters superimposed, and the way we understood it during the seventies, clusters imbedded in filamentary structures. We planned in brief to understand the distribution of galaxies and the effect of their environment since to learn about the formation and evolution of the Universe, we need to know first how it is now. The very large surveys, first among these the CfA, started in the eighties thanks also to dedicated telescopes; during that period, the distribution of mass on large scales was also measured. A next step, in addition to the many and deep galaxies survey that are going on, could be a deep cluster survey to detect distant clusters, improve the accuracy of the clusters physical parameters as a function of redshift and have a more robust probe for Cosmology.

Motivation & Objective

• To document the early development of large-scale structure studies from the perspective of a key contributor.
• To clarify the historical progression of ideas on galaxy distribution, correcting omissions in later literature.
• To advocate for deep cluster surveys as a next step in understanding cosmology through cluster evolution with redshift.
• To emphasize the importance of spectroscopic redshift surveys in transforming our view of the universe’s large-scale structure.

Proposed method

• Retrospective narrative based on personal experience and archival research from the 1970s.
• Analysis of early redshift survey data, particularly from the CfA survey, to map three-dimensional galaxy distributions.
• Use of statistical methods to detect underdense regions (voids) and overdense structures (superclusters).
• Comparison of early findings with later literature to identify overlooked contributions.
• Use of radio astronomy (Arecibo) to extend large-scale structure studies via neutral hydrogen (HI) mapping.
• Integration of theoretical frameworks such as Zeldovich’s and Einasto’s work on clustering and dark matter profiles.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 How did the perception of galaxy distribution evolve from the 1960s to the 1970s?
• RQ2 What role did early spectroscopic redshift surveys play in revealing the cosmic web?
• RQ3 Why were key early findings, such as voids and superclusters, overlooked or underappreciated in later literature?
• RQ4 How can deep cluster surveys improve cosmological constraints through cluster evolution with redshift?
• RQ5 What is the significance of combining optical and radio surveys for mapping large-scale structure?

Key findings

• The discovery of large-scale voids—regions devoid of galaxies—was statistically confirmed in a 1978 Nature paper, marking a pivotal shift in cosmological thinking.
• The term 'voids' was officially adopted after consultation with John Cowan, replacing earlier terms like 'holes' for clarity and scientific accuracy.
• The transition from 2D to 3D mapping of galaxies revealed filamentary structures and superclusters, fundamentally altering the view of the universe’s large-scale organization.
• Early work by Rood and Chinocarini, including presentations at the Tallinn 1976 conference, laid the foundation for the cosmic web model, though these contributions were later underrecognized.
• The author argues that the field’s progress was hindered by citation biases and institutional visibility, with key papers like the 1978 Nature paper receiving only 23 citations despite their significance.
• The paper calls for future deep cluster surveys to improve physical parameter accuracy and enhance cosmological probes via cluster evolution with redshift.