The luminosity distribution of Local Group galaxies

From a rediscussion of Local Group membership and of distances to individual galaxies, we obtain M-V values for 35 probable and possible Local Group members. The luminosity function of these objects is well fitted by a Schechter function with faint-end slope alpha = - 1.1 +/- 0.1. The probability that the luminosity distribution of the Local Group is a single Schechter function with alpha steeper than -1.3 is less than 1%. However, more complicated luminosity functions, such as multicomponent Schechter functions with steep faint-end slopes, cannot be ruled out. There is some evidence that the luminosity distribution of dwarf spheroidal galaxies in the Local Group is steeper than that of dwarf irregular galaxies.