Work

How strong is the evidence for accelerated expansion?

Year: 2008

Type: article

Abstract: We test the present expansion of the universe using supernova type Ia data without making any assumptions about the matter and energy content of the universe or about the parametrization of the deceleration parameter. We assume the cosmological principle to apply in a strict sense. The result strongly depends on the data set, the light curve fitting method and the calibration of the absolute magnitude used for the test, indicating strong systematic errors. Nevertheless, in a spatially flat universe there is at least 5σ evidence for acceleration which drops to 1.8σ in an open universe.

Source: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

DOI: 10.1088/1475-7516/2008/02/007

Authors: Marina Seikel, Dominik J Schwarz

Institution: Bielefeld University

Language: English

Topic: Cosmology and Gravitation Theories

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

Award: G1689885677