Anisotropy in the Hubble relation for the brightest galaxies in clusters

The sky distribution of deviations from the mean Hubble relation for the brightest galaxies in clusters is non-random for the velocity range 4000<Vsub(r)<25000 kms-1. Deviations in visual magnitude are mainly positive in one large region of the sky and mainly negative in another region; the difference between the regions is 0.37+-0.08sup(m) and is independent of colour. Various explanations are discussed briefly, and galactic or intergalactic absorption may be excluded. (Auth.)