A wide-field K-band survey - II. Galaxy clustering

Abstract

We present the first measurement of the angular correlation function in a K-selected galaxy survey, from two fields covering almost 10 deg2. The angular correlation function at small angles is well described by a θ-0.8 power law, as for optically selected samples. The clustering amplitude is reduced by a factor of ∼ 4 between galaxies with K < 15 and a fainter magnitude slice with 15 < K < 16. This allows us to place constraints upon the redshift distribution of the galaxies and their spatial correlation function. We find no clear evidence for a change in clustering amplitude when galaxies are selected by their observed B -K colours.