Observational Constraints on the Nature of Dark Energy: First Cosmological Results from the ESSENCE Supernova Survey
Year: 2007
Type: article
Abstract: We present constraints on the dark energy equation-of-state parameter, w = P /(ρ c 2 ), using 60 SNe Ia from the ESSENCE supernova survey. We derive a set of constraints on the nature of the dark energy assuming a flat universe. By including constraints on (Ω M , w ) from baryon acoustic oscillations, we obtain a value for a static equation-of-state parameter w = -1.05 (stat 1 σ) ± 0.13 (sys) and Ω M = 0.274 (stat 1 σ) with a best-fit χ 2 /dof of 0.96. These results are consistent with those reported by the Supernova Legacy Survey from the first year of a similar program measuring supernova distances and redshifts. We evaluate sources of systematic error that afflict supernova observations and present Monte Carlo simulations that explore these effects. Currently, the largest systematic with the potential to affect our measurements is the treatment of extinction due to dust in the supernova host galaxies. Combining our set of ESSENCE SNe Ia with the first-results Supernova Legacy Survey SNe Ia, we obtain a joint constraint of w = -1.07 (stat 1 σ) ± 0.13 (sys), Ω M = 0.267 (stat 1 σ) with a best-fit χ 2 /dof of 0.91. The current global SN Ia data alone rule out empty (Ω M = 0), matter-only Ω M = 0.3, and Ω M = 1 universes at >4.5 σ. The current SN Ia data are fully consistent with a cosmological constant.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
DOI: 10.1086/518642
Authors: W. M. Wood‐Vasey, G. Miknaitis, C. W. Stubbs, S. Jha, A. G. Riess, P. M. Garnavich, R. P. Kirshner, C. Aguilera, A. C. Becker, J. W. Blackman, S. Blondin, P. Challis, A. Clocchiatti, A. Conley, R. Covarrubias, T. M. Davis, A. V. Filippenko, R. J. Foley, A. Garg, M. Hicken, K. Krisciunas, B. Leibundgut, W. Li, T. Matheson, A. Miceli, G. Narayan, G. Pignata, J. L. Prieto, A. Rest, M. E. Salvo, B. P. Schmidt, R. C. Smith, J. Sollerman, J. Spyromilio, J. L. Tonry, N. B. Suntzeff, A. Zenteno
Institutions: Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Harvard University, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, University of California, Berkeley, Space Telescope Science Institute, Johns Hopkins University, University of Notre Dame, Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, University of Washington, Australian National University, Mount Stromlo Observatory, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, University of Toronto, University of Copenhagen, Texas A&M University, European Southern Observatory, The Ohio State University, Stockholm University, AlbaNova, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, University of Hawaii System
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funders: National Science Foundation, Smithsonian Institution, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, W. M. Keck Foundation, California Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Aspen Center for Physics, University of Arizona, National Research Foundation, Danmarks Grundforskningsfond, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, European Southern Observatory, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, National Research Council Canada, Australian Research Council, Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, Fondo de Financiamiento de Centros de Investigación en Áreas Prioritarias
OpenAlex ID: W2057351095