8 Conclusions

Using a deep, homogeneous survey covering an area of $\sim3$deg², we have investigated the clustering properties of faint (sub-mJy) radio sources by calculating the angular correlation function of the sample. Simulations have been carried out to investigate the significance of our results. It has been demonstrated that the amplitudes estimated here imply a non-uniform distribution of radio sources, albeit at the 2$\sigma$significance level.

Furthermore, we find that the correlation amplitude upper limits estimated here, despite the large uncertainties, are consistent with the results derived in other studies from larger samples at brighter flux density limits. Spectroscopic and photometric studies of sub-mJy radio sources show that the majority have properties similar to starburst galaxies. Since local galaxies, with increased star formation, exhibit weaker clustering than average, it is tempting to link the clustering properties of the sub-mJy population with those of local starburst galaxies. However, the present data, due to small number statistics, cannot reveal a change in radio source clustering properties with flux density. Nevertheless, we have demonstrated that future surveys having sensitivities at $\mu$Jy flux density levels and covering large areas on the sky, will be suitable to explore possible changes of the correlation amplitude with flux density.

Acknowledgements

AG is supported by a scholarship from the State Scholarships Foundation of Greece (S.S.F.). The work of LC and AH is supported by the Australian Research Council and the Science Foundation for Physics within the University of Sydney. We thank the referee for useful comments and suggestions that improved this paper.