Observational constraints on the nature of dark energy: First cosmological results from the essence supernova survey

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

doi:10.1086/518642

Observational constraints on the nature of dark energy: First cosmological results from the essence supernova survey

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. HickenK. 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

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

We present constraints on the dark energy equation-of-state parameter, w = P/(pc²), 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^+0.13_-0.12 (stat 1 σ)±0.13 (sys) and Ω_M= 0.274_-0.020^+0.033 (stat 1σ ) with a bestfit x²/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_-0.09^+0.09(stat 1 σ) ±0.13 (sys), Ω_M = 0.267_-0.018^+0.028 (stat 1 σ) with a best-fit x²/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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	694-715
Number of pages	22
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	666
Issue number	2 I
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/518642
Publication status	Published - 2007

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Wood-Vasey, W. M., Miknaitis, G., Stubbs, C. W., Jha, S., Riess, A. G., Garnavich, P. M., Kirshner, R. P., Aguilera, C., Becker, A. C., Blackman, J. W., Blondin, S., Challis, P., Clocchiatti, A., Conley, A., Covarrubias, R., Davis, T. M., Filippenko, A. V., Foley, R. J., Garg, A., ... Zenteno, A. (2007). Observational constraints on the nature of dark energy: First cosmological results from the essence supernova survey. Astrophysical Journal, 666(2 I), 694-715. https://doi.org/10.1086/518642

@article{053ff5d867fe447086eb307e459e7549,

title = "Observational constraints on the nature of dark energy: First cosmological results from the essence supernova survey",

abstract = "We present constraints on the dark energy equation-of-state parameter, w = P/(pc2), 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 (ΩM, w) from baryon acoustic oscillations, we obtain a value for a static equation-of-state parameter w = -1.05+0.13-0.12 (stat 1 σ)±0.13 (sys) and ΩM= 0.274-0.020+0.033 (stat 1σ ) with a bestfit x2/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 = -1.07-0.09+0.09(stat 1 σ) ±0.13 (sys), ΩM = 0.267-0.018+0.028 (stat 1 σ) with a best-fit x2/dof of 0.91. The current global SN Ia data alone rule out empty (ΩM = 0), matter-only ΩM = 0.3, and ΩM = 1 universes at >4.5 σ. The current SN Ia data are fully consistent with a cosmological constant.",

keywords = "Cosmological parameters, Cosmology: observations, Supernovae: general",

author = "Wood-Vasey, {W. M.} and G. Miknaitis and Stubbs, {C. W.} and S. Jha and Riess, {A. G.} and Garnavich, {P. M.} and Kirshner, {R. P.} and C. Aguilera and Becker, {A. C.} and Blackman, {J. W.} and S. Blondin and P. Challis and A. Clocchiatti and A. Conley and R. Covarrubias and Davis, {T. M.} and Filippenko, {A. V.} and Foley, {R. J.} and A. Garg and M. Hicken and K. Krisciunas and B. Leibundgut and W. Li and T. Matheson and A. Miceli and G. Narayan and G. Pignata and Prieto, {J. L.} and A. Rest and Salvo, {M. E.} and Schmidt, {B. P.} and Smith, {R. C.} and J. Sollerman and J. Spyromilio and Tonry, {J. L.} and Suntzeff, {N. B.} and A. Zenteno",

year = "2007",

doi = "10.1086/518642",

language = "English",

volume = "666",

pages = "694--715",

journal = "Astrophysical Journal",

issn = "0004-637X",

publisher = "American Astronomical Society",

number = "2 I",

}

Wood-Vasey, WM, Miknaitis, G, Stubbs, CW, Jha, S, Riess, AG, Garnavich, PM, Kirshner, RP, Aguilera, C, Becker, AC, Blackman, JW, Blondin, S, Challis, P, Clocchiatti, A, Conley, A, Covarrubias, R, Davis, TM, Filippenko, AV, Foley, RJ, Garg, A, Hicken, M, Krisciunas, K, Leibundgut, B, Li, W, Matheson, T, Miceli, A, Narayan, G, Pignata, G, Prieto, JL, Rest, A, Salvo, ME, Schmidt, BP, Smith, RC, Sollerman, J, Spyromilio, J, Tonry, JL, Suntzeff, NB & Zenteno, A 2007, 'Observational constraints on the nature of dark energy: First cosmological results from the essence supernova survey', Astrophysical Journal, vol. 666, no. 2 I, pp. 694-715. https://doi.org/10.1086/518642

TY - JOUR

T1 - Observational constraints on the nature of dark energy

T2 - First cosmological results from the essence supernova survey

AU - Wood-Vasey, W. M.

AU - Miknaitis, G.

AU - Stubbs, C. W.

AU - Jha, S.

AU - Riess, A. G.

AU - Garnavich, P. M.

AU - Kirshner, R. P.

AU - Aguilera, C.

AU - Becker, A. C.

AU - Blackman, J. W.

AU - Blondin, S.

AU - Challis, P.

AU - Clocchiatti, A.

AU - Conley, A.

AU - Covarrubias, R.

AU - Davis, T. M.

AU - Filippenko, A. V.

AU - Foley, R. J.

AU - Garg, A.

AU - Hicken, M.

AU - Krisciunas, K.

AU - Leibundgut, B.

AU - Li, W.

AU - Matheson, T.

AU - Miceli, A.

AU - Narayan, G.

AU - Pignata, G.

AU - Prieto, J. L.

AU - Rest, A.

AU - Salvo, M. E.

AU - Schmidt, B. P.

AU - Smith, R. C.

AU - Sollerman, J.

AU - Spyromilio, J.

AU - Tonry, J. L.

AU - Suntzeff, N. B.

AU - Zenteno, A.

PY - 2007

Y1 - 2007

N2 - We present constraints on the dark energy equation-of-state parameter, w = P/(pc2), 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 (ΩM, w) from baryon acoustic oscillations, we obtain a value for a static equation-of-state parameter w = -1.05+0.13-0.12 (stat 1 σ)±0.13 (sys) and ΩM= 0.274-0.020+0.033 (stat 1σ ) with a bestfit x2/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 = -1.07-0.09+0.09(stat 1 σ) ±0.13 (sys), ΩM = 0.267-0.018+0.028 (stat 1 σ) with a best-fit x2/dof of 0.91. The current global SN Ia data alone rule out empty (ΩM = 0), matter-only ΩM = 0.3, and ΩM = 1 universes at >4.5 σ. The current SN Ia data are fully consistent with a cosmological constant.

AB - We present constraints on the dark energy equation-of-state parameter, w = P/(pc2), 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 (ΩM, w) from baryon acoustic oscillations, we obtain a value for a static equation-of-state parameter w = -1.05+0.13-0.12 (stat 1 σ)±0.13 (sys) and ΩM= 0.274-0.020+0.033 (stat 1σ ) with a bestfit x2/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 = -1.07-0.09+0.09(stat 1 σ) ±0.13 (sys), ΩM = 0.267-0.018+0.028 (stat 1 σ) with a best-fit x2/dof of 0.91. The current global SN Ia data alone rule out empty (ΩM = 0), matter-only ΩM = 0.3, and ΩM = 1 universes at >4.5 σ. The current SN Ia data are fully consistent with a cosmological constant.

KW - Cosmological parameters

KW - Cosmology: observations

KW - Supernovae: general

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=35348887272&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1086/518642

DO - 10.1086/518642

M3 - Article

SN - 0004-637X

VL - 666

SP - 694

EP - 715

JO - Astrophysical Journal

JF - Astrophysical Journal

IS - 2 I

ER -

Observational constraints on the nature of dark energy: First cosmological results from the essence supernova survey

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