BIASING IN THE GALAXY DISTRIBUTION

We investigate the variation of galaxy clustering with luminosity usin g the recently completed SSRS2 sample. Clustering measurements based o n the two-point correlation function and the variance of counts in cel ls reveal a strong dependence of clustering on luminosity for galaxies brighter than L, while no significant variation is detected for fain ter galaxies. We derive a relative bias versus magnitude relation that can be compared with theoretical predictions. Existing models of gala xy formation cannot reproduce adequately the simultaneous steep rise o f biasing at high luminosities and the plateau at the low-luminosity e nd. Improved modeling of halo-galaxy relation and larger samples inclu ding low-luminosity galaxies are required to draw more definitive conc lusions.