  Interpretation of long-range rapidity correlations in terms of the
fluctuating rapidity density distribution of the system created in high-energy
collisions is proposed. When applied to recent data of the STAR coll., it shows
a substantial asymmetric component in the shape of this system in central Au-Au
collisions, implying that boost invariance is violated on the event-by-event
basis even at central rapidity. This effect may seriously influence the
hydrodynamic expansion of the system.
