Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) Asymmetry

Title: Power Asymmetry in Cosmic Microwave Background Fluctuations from Full Sky to Sub-degree Scales: Is the Universe Isotropic?

Our results indicate that the reported common asymmetric axis extending over a large range in scales is highly unlikely to be a statistical fluke. Foregrounds and systematic effects do not seem to be probable explanations. The CMB does seem to have an uneven power distribution on the sky over a large range of angular scales. An important task for further research is to find a physical explanation for this asymmetry which can predict possible effects on CMB polarization to be tested in future experiments.