Browsing by Subject "cosmology: observations"
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- ItemOpen AccessConstraining scalar-tensor quintessence by cosmic clocks(2007) Capozziello, S; Dunsby, P K S; Piedipalumbo, E; Rubano, CAims. We study scalar tensor theories of gravity with power law scalar field potentials as cosmological models for accelerating universe, using cosmic clocks. Methods. Scalar-tensor quintessence models can be constrained by identifying suitable cosmic clocks which allow one to select confidence regions for cosmological parameters. In particular, we constrain the characterizing parameters of non-minimally coupled scalar-tensor cosmological models which admit exact solutions of the Einstein field equations. Lookback time to galaxy clusters at low intermediate, and high redshifts is considered. The high redshift time-scale problem is also discussed in order to select other cosmic clocks such as quasars. Results. The presented models seem to work in all the regimes considered: the main feature of this approach is the fact that cosmic clocks are completely independent of each other, so that, in principle, it is possible to avoid bias due to primary, secondary and so on indicators in the cosmic distance ladder. Conclusions. We have used different methods to test cosmological models at low, intermediate and high redshift by different indicators: this seems to confirm independently these proposed dark energy models.
- ItemOpen AccessImproved cosmological constraints from a joint analysis of the SDSS-II and SNLS supernova samples(2014) Betoule, M; Kessler, R; Guy, J; Mosher, J; Hardin, D; Biswas, R; Astier, P; El-Hage, P; Konig, M; Kuhlmann, S; Marriner, J; Pain, R; Regnault, N; Balland, C; Bassett, B A; Brown, P J; Campbell, H; Carlberg, R G; Cellier-Holzem, F; Cinabro, D; Conley, A; D’Andrea, C B; DePoy, D L; Doi, M; Ellis, R S; Fabbro, S; Filippenko, A V; Foley, R J; Frieman, J A; Fouchez, D; Galbany, L; Goobar, AAims. We present cosmological constraints from a joint analysis of type Ia supernova (SN Ia) observations obtained by the SDSS-II and SNLS collaborations. The dataset includes several low-redshift samples (z < 0:1), all three seasons from the SDSS-II (0:05 < z < 0:4), and three years from SNLS (0:2 < z < 1), and it totals 740 spectroscopically confirmed type Ia supernovae with high-quality light curves. Methods. We followed the methods and assumptions of the SNLS three-year data analysis except for the following important improvements: 1) the addition of the full SDSS-II spectroscopically-confirmed SN Ia sample in both the training of the SALT2 light-curve model and in the Hubble diagram analysis (374 SNe); 2) intercalibration of the SNLS and SDSS surveys and reduced systematic uncertainties in the photometric calibration, performed blindly with respect to the cosmology analysis; and 3) a thorough investigation of systematic errors associated with the SALT2 modeling of SN Ia light curves. Results. We produce recalibrated SN Ia light curves and associated distances for the SDSS-II and SNLS samples. The large SDSS-II sample provides an eective, independent, low-z anchor for the Hubble diagram and reduces the systematic error from calibration systematics in the low-z SN sample. For a flat CDM cosmology, we find m = 0:295 0:034 (stat+sys), a value consistent with the most recent cosmic microwave background (CMB) measurement from the Planck and WMAP experiments. Our result is 1:8 (stat+sys) dierent than the previously published result of SNLS three-year data. The change is due primarily to improvements in the SNLS photometric calibration. When combined with CMB constraints, we measure a constant dark-energy equation of state parameter w = ?1:018 0:057 (stat+sys) for a flat universe. Adding baryon acoustic oscillation distance measurements gives similar constraints: w = ?1:0270:055. Our supernova measurements provide the most stringent constraints to date on the nature of dark energy.
- ItemOpen AccessNTT and NOT spectroscopy of SDSS-II supernovae(2011) Östman, L; Nordin, J; Goobar, A; Amanullah, R; Smith, M; Sollerman, J; Stanishev, V; Stritzinger, M D; Bassett, B A; Davis, T M; Edmondson, E; Frieman, J A; Garnavich, P M; Lampeitl, H; Leloudas, G; Marriner, J; Nichol, R C; Romer, K; Sako, M; Schneider, D P; Zheng, CContext. The Sloan Digital Sky Survey II (SDSS-II) Supernova Survey, conducted between 2005 and 2007, was designed to detect a large number of type Ia supernovae around z ∼ 0.2, the redshift “gap” between low-z and high-z supernova searches. The survey has provided multi-band (ugriz) photometric lightcurves for variable targets, and supernova candidates were scheduled for spectroscopic observations, primarily to provide supernova classification and accurate redshifts. We present supernova spectra obtained in 2006 and 2007 using the New Technology Telescope (NTT) and the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT). Aims. We provide an atlas of supernova spectra in the range z = 0.03−0.32 that complements the well-sampled lightcurves from SDSS-II in the forthcoming three-year SDSS supernova cosmology analysis. The sample can, for example, be used for spectral studies of type Ia supernovae, which are critical for understanding potential systematic effects when supernovae are used to determine cosmological distances. Methods. The spectra were reduced in a uniform manner, and special care was taken in estimating the uncertainties for the different processing steps. Host-galaxy light was subtracted when possible and the supernova type fitted using the SuperNova IDentification code (SNID). We also present comparisons between spectral and photometric dating using SALT lightcurve fits to the photometry from SDSS-II, as well as the global distribution of our sample in terms of the lightcurve parameters: stretch and colour. Results. We report new spectroscopic data from 141 type Ia supernovae, mainly between −9 and +15 days from lightcurve maximum, including a few cases of multi-epoch observations. This homogeneous, host-galaxy subtracted, type Ia supernova spectroscopic sample is among the largest such data sets and unique in its redshift interval. The sample includes two potential SN 1991T-like supernovae (SN 2006on and SN 2007ni) and one potential SN 2002cx-like supernova (SN 2007ie). In addition, the new compilation includes spectra from 23 confirmed type II and 8 type Ib/c supernovae.
- ItemOpen AccessThe void galaxy survey: photometry, structure and identity of void galaxies(2017) Beygu, B; Peletier, R F; Hulst, J M van der; Jarrett, T H; Kreckel, K; Weygaert, R van de; van Gorkom, J H; Aragon-Calvo, M AWe analyse photometry from deep B-band images of 59 void galaxies in the Void Galaxy Survey (VGS), together with their near-infrared 3.6 μm and 4.5 μm Spitzer photometry. The VGS galaxies constitute a sample of void galaxies that were selected by a geometric-topological procedure from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 data release, and which populate the deep interior of voids. Our void galaxies span a range of absolute B-magnitude from MB = -15.5 to -20, while at the 3.6 μm band their magnitudes range from M3.6 = -18 to -24. Their B-[3.6] colour and structural parameters indicate these are star-forming galaxies. A good reflection of the old stellar population, the near-infrared band photometry also provide a robust estimate of the stellar mass, which for the VGS galaxies we confirm to be smaller than 3 × 1010 M⊙. In terms of the structural parameters and morphology, our findings align with other studies in that our VGS galaxy sample consists mostly of small late-type galaxies. Most of them are similar to Sd-Sm galaxies, although a few are irregularly shaped galaxies. The sample even includes two early-type galaxies, one of which is an AGN. Their Sérsic indices are nearly all smaller than n = 2 in both bands and they also have small half-light radii. In all, we conclude that the principal impact of the void environment on the galaxies populating them mostly concerns their low stellar mass and small size.