English

How flat is the Universe?

Astrophysics 2007-05-23 v1 High Energy Physics - Theory

Abstract

In order to answer this question, we combine ten independent astrophysical constraints in the space of the density parameters Ωm\Omega_m of gravitating matter and ΩΛ\Omega_{\Lambda} of vacuum energy. We find that Ωm=0.31±0.07\Omega_m=0.31\pm 0.07, ΩΛ=0.63±0.21\Omega_{\Lambda}=0.63\pm 0.21, and thus Ωm+ΩΛ=0.94±0.22\Omega_m + \Omega_{\Lambda}=0.94\pm 0.22. The total χ2\chi^2 is 4.1 for 8 degrees of freedom, testifying that the various systematic errors included are generous. We also determine Ωm\Omega_m in the exactly flat case. Five supplementary flat-case constraints can then be included in our fit, with the result Ωm=1ΩΛ=0.337±0.031\Omega_m=1-\Omega_{\Lambda}= 0.337\pm0.031. It follows that the age of the Universe is t0=13.5±1.3t_0 = 13.5\pm 1.3 (0.68/h) Gyr.

Cite

@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0003040,
  title  = {How flat is the Universe?},
  author = {Matts Roos and S. M. Harun-or-Rashid},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0003040},
  year   = {2007}
}

Comments

11 Pages, 1 Figure, LaTeX2e