AN ICOSAHEDRON-BASED METHOD FOR PIXELIZING THE CELESTIAL SPHERE

For power spectrum estimation, it's important that the pixelization of a CMB sky map be smooth and regular to high degree. With this criteri on in mind, the ''COBE sky cube'' was defined. This Letter has as cent ral theme to further improve on this elegant scheme that uses a cube a s projective base -here an icosahedron is used in its place. Although the sky cube is excellent, a further reduction of 20% of the number of pixels can be obtained while the pixel distance is maintained, and wi thout any degradation of accuracy for integration. The pixels are roun der in this scheme, where they are hexagonal rather than square, and t he faces are small in this implementation, which simplifies area equal ization. The reason distortion is lessened is that the faces are small er and therefore more flat. To use the method, you can get a FORTRAN c ode from the Internet.