We compute the power spectrum of galaxy density fluctuations in a recently
completed redshift survey of optically-selected galaxies in the southern
hemisphere (SSRS2). The amplitude and shape of the SSRS2 power spectrum are
consistent with results of the Center for Astrophysics redshift survey of the
northern hemisphere (CfA2), including the abrupt change of slope on a scale of
30-50Mpc/h; these results are reproducible for independent volumes of space and
variations are consistent with the errors estimated from mock surveys. Taken
together, the SSRS2 and CfA2 form a complete sample of 14,383 galaxies which
covers one-third of the sky. The power spectrum of this larger sample continues
to rise on scales up to ~ 200Mpc/h, with weak evidence for flattening on the
largest scales. The SSRS2+CfA2 power spectrum and the power spectrum
constraints implied by COBE are well-matched by an Omega*h ~ 0.2,
Omega+lambda_0=1 CDM model with minimal biasing of optically-selected galaxies.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Sept.
23, 1994. 10 pages uuencoded compressed postscript, including two figures.
JHU-9410200