Year: 2001
Type: article
Abstract: In most direct estimates of the mass density (visible or dark) of the universe, a central input parameter is the luminosity density of the universe. Here we consider the measurement of this luminosity density from redshift surveys, as a function of the yet undetermined characteristic scale R H at which the spatial distribution of visible matter tends to a well-defined homogeneity. Making the canonical assumption that the cluster mass-to-luminosity ratio / is the universal one, we can estimate the total mass density as a function Ω m ( R H , / ). Taking the highest estimated cluster value / ≈ 300 h M ☉ / L ☉ and a conservative lower limit R H ≳ 20 h -1 Mpc, we obtain the upper bound Ω m ≲ 0.1. We note that, for values of the homogeneity scale R H in the range R H ≈ (90 ± 45) h Mpc, the value of Ω m may be compatible with the nucleosynthesis inferred density in baryons.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
DOI: 10.1086/320907
Authors: Michael Joyce, Francesco Sylos Labini
Institutions: University of Geneva, Sapienza University of Rome
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funder: National Science Foundation
OpenAlex ID: W2010676401