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The luminosity function of nearby field galaxies has been determined from a sample of 231 "normal" galaxies with m B 11.85. The sample has been confined to galactic latitudes above i 20 and excludes the Virgo cluster region. Absolute magnitudes for galaxies with radial velocities exceeding 400 km have been based on the Hubble law with H = 50 km . Other distance criteria have been used for systems of lower velocity. For galaxies brighter than M B = 21.05 the observed differential luminosity function is well repre- sented by log (M ) = (27. .31) + (l. .Ol4)MB. Fainter systems are described by log (M ) = (4.37 + 0.44) + (0.355 + 0.004)M B Resolution of the luminosity function into eight morphological types reveals moderately strong dependence on type. The results of varying the Hubble parameter and the absorption law are demonstrated to be small except for a displacement of the entire function in the log , M B plane. Including the Virgo cluster region is shown to unrealistically distort the bright end of the function. Northern and southern luminosity functions agree in shape but not in position in the log , M B plane. Not all of the difference can be attributed to the higher galaxian density of the northern hemisphere. It may be that the asymmetry is only apparent, arising out of the peculiar motion of the Local Oroup.
Clark G. Christensen (Tue,) studied this question.