Peak statistics on COBE maps

Abstract

We perform the stastistics of temperature maxima and minima in COBE-DMR 2-year maps. For power-law spectra the surface distribution of peaks implies an amplitude consistent with more conventional analyses of COBE data (for instance, we get $Q_{\rm rms-PS}=17\pm 3\ μ$K for a spectral index $% n=1),$ but not with the measured quadrupole $Q_{\rm rms}=6\pm 3\ μ$K. This provides further support for the existence an infrared cutoff in the cosmic spectrum.

Latex file, Astronomy & Astrophysics L-aa style. Hardcopy figures available separately, send requests to fabbri@vaxfi.fi.infn.it