STRUCTURE IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF SOUTHERN GALAXIES DESCRIBED BY THE DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION

We apply the gravitational quasi-equilibrium distribution function to probe the clustering in eight absolute diameter-limited subsamples of the SSRS (Southern Sky Redshift Survey) galaxies. This is the first ap plication of the distribution function to a large three-dimensional sa mple. We find that the thermodynamic model proposed by Saslaw and Hami lton (1984) is a good fit to the three-dimensional distribution of the southern galaxies. The parameter b is scale-invariant in a scale rang e of about 5-12 h(-1) Mpc, below which the distribution approaches the Poisson limit. Also, there is a trend for b to approach the Poisson l imit on larger scales. We also investigate morphological segregation a nd diameter segregation and find that these two effects are not indepe ndent. Spirals cluster more weakly than ellipticals and lenticulars if the face-on diameters of the galaxies are less than about 20 h(-1) kp c. Spirals with face-on diameters larger than about 20 h(-1) kpc, howe ver, cluster more strongly than the ellipticals. We believe both of th ese results indicate the early conditions of galaxy formation and the subsequent evolution of galaxies.