The clustering of sub-mJy radio sources in the Bootes Deep Field.

ABSTRACT We measure the angular clustering of ∼2000 radio sources in the Bootes Deep Field, covering 5.3 deg[sup 2] down to S[sub 1.4GHz]= 0.2 mJy . With reference to work by Blake & Wall, we show that the size distribution of multi-component radio galaxies dominates the overall clustering signal, and that its amplitude extrapolates smoothly from their measurements above 5 mJy. The upper limits on any true galaxy–galaxy clustering are consistent with the clustering of sub-mJy radio-loud active galatic nuclei (AGN) being effectively diluted by the more weakly clustered IRAS-type starburst galaxies. Source count models imply that the survey contains ≃400 of the latter galaxies above 0.2 mJy out to z∼ 1–2 . Measurement of their clustering must await their identification via the optical and infrared data due on this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]