Evidence for a disaggregation of the universe

Combining the kinematical definitions of the two dimensionless parameters, the deceleration q(x) and the Hubble t ₀ H(x), we get a differential equation (where x=t/t ₀ is the age of the universe relative to its present value t ₀). First integration gives the function H(x). The present values of the Hubble parameter H(1) [approximately t ₀ H(1)≈1], and the deceleration parameter [approximately q(1)≈−0.5], determine the function H(x). A second integration gives the cosmological scale factor a(x). Differentiation of a(x) gives the speed of expansion of the universe. The evolution of the universe that results from our approach is: an initial extremely fast exponential expansion (inflation), followed by an almost linear expansion (first decelerated, and later accelerated). For the future, at approximately t≈3t ₀ there is a final exponential expansion, a second inflation that produces a disaggregation of the universe to infinity. We find the necessary and sufficient conditions for this disaggregation to occur. The precise value of the final age is given only with one parameter: the present value of the deceleration parameter [q(1)≈−0.5]. This emerging picture of the history of the universe represents an important challenge, an opportunity for the immediate research on the Universe. These conclusions have been elaborated without the use of any particular cosmological model of the universe.     

When did cosmic acceleration start? How fast was the transition?

Cosmic acceleration is investigated through a kink-like expression for the deceleration parameter (q). The new parametrization depends on the initial (q_i) and final (q_f) values of q, on the redshift of the transition from deceleration to acceleration (z_t) and the width of such transition (τ). We show that although supernovae (SN) observations (Gold182 and SNLS data samples) indicate, at high confidence, that a transition occurred in the past (z_t > 0) they do not, by themselves, impose strong constraints on the maximum value of z_t. However, when we combine SN with the measurements of the ratio between the comoving distance to the last scattering surface and the SDSS + 2dfGRS BAO distance scale (S_k/D_v) we obtain, at 95.4% confidence level, and for (S_k/D_v+Gold182), and and for (S_k/D_v+SNLS), assuming q_i = 0.5 and q_f = −1. We also analyze the general case, q_f  (−∞, 0) finding the constraints that the combined tests (S_k/D_v+SNLS) impose on the present value of the deceleration parameter (q₀).     

A New Formula for Computing Mean Neutron Exposure

We have investigated the characteristics of the distribution of neutron exposures (“DNE” hereafter) in the He-shell nucleosynthesis regions in the model of s-process nucleosynthesis in low-mass AGB (Asymptotic Giant Branch) stars in ¹³C radiatively burning conditions. The result indicates that although the DNE obtained with this model is still approximately exponential, like those of the previous convective s-process scenarios, the relation between the neutron exposure Δτ of each pulse and the mean neutron exposure τ₀ is no longer τ₀ = −Δτ/ln r, rather, it is now approximately τ0 = −Δτ/ ln{q[1.0020 + 0.6602(r − q) + 4.6125(r − q)²− 10.8962(r − q)³+ 13.9138(r − q)⁴]} (r is the overlap factor, q is the mass ratio of the ¹³C shell to the He shell). This formula unifies the stellar model of radiative s-process with the classical model from the angle of DNE.     

Intergalactic extinction and the deceleration parameter

The deceleration parameter q₀ is calculated from the relation between apparent magnitudes m of the brightest galaxies in clusters and their redshifts z considering an intergalactic extinction. The calculation is valid for a Friedman universe, homogeneously filled with dust grains, assuming the extinction to be 0.5 mag at z = 1 and a λ⁻¹-law of extinction (according to Oleak and Schmidt 1976). Using the m,z-values of Kristian, Sandage, and Westphal (1978) a formal value of q₀ ≈︁ 2.1 is obtained instead of q₀ ≈︁ 1.6 without consideration of intergalactic extinction.     

Logarithmic Entropy-Corrected Holographic Dark Energy in Hořava-Lifshitz cosmology with Granda-Oliveros cut-off

In this work, we studied the Logarithmic Entropy-Corrected Holographic Dark Energy (LECHDE) model in a spatially non-flat universe and in the framework of Ho?ava-Lifshitz cosmology. As infrared cutoff of the system we considered the cut-off recently proposed by Granda and Oliveros which contains two terms, one proportional to H ² and one to $\dot{H}$ . For the two cases containing non-interacting and interacting Dark Energy (DE) and Dark Matter (DM), we obtained the exact differential equation that determines the evolution of the density parameter. Moreover, we derived the expressions of the deceleration parameter q and, using a parametrization of the equation of state (EoS) parameter ω _D of our model as ω _D (z)=ω ₀+ω ₁ z, we derived both the expressions of ω ₀ and ω ₁ for both non-interacting and interacting cases. All derivations made in this work are done in small redshift approximation and for low redshift expansion of the equation of state (EoS) parameter.     

Periodicity in the distribution of quasar redshifts and density perturbation in the early universe

We made a power spectrum analysis on the quasar emission redshift distribution, and further confirmed the existence of periodicity in respect of the quantity x = F_(z,qo) defined at (8).The existence of this periodicity does not mean that the quasar redshift is non-cosmological, for it can be interpreted as a remnant of density (acoustic) perturbations in the early big-bang universe. For this model, we made a number of tests. We found: 1) the ratio of periodic to non-periodic components falls as the sample size increases; 2) the periodicity should be more marked for quasars in one region of the sky than for all quasars, and 3) the Jeans wavelength before the recombination epoch determines the length of the period. Using this model we also found that qo > 0.5, lending further support to the conclusion reached by other means that the universe may be closed.     

Determinations of the cosmological deceleration parameter based on various quasar subsets

Published determinations of the deceleration parameter qo based on various selected subsets are reviewed and a uniform re-determination is made according to a procedure given in /1/.The resulting q₀-values from 8 largely independant samples of radio quasars all fall within the 4σ range obtained in /1/, namely, 1.0 ? q₀ ? 3.5. The most important assumption made is that the characteristic luminosity of radio quasars is independant of the cosmic epoch. Thus, unless radio quasars at earlier times were much more luminous than the later ones, the universe is probably closed.     

Catalog of candidates for quasars at 3 &lt; <Emphasis Type="Italic">z</Emphasis> &lt; 5.5 selected among X-Ray sources from the 3XMM-DR4 survey of the XMM-Newton observatory

We have compiled a catalog of 903 candidates for type 1 quasars at redshifts 3 < z < 5.5 selected among the X-ray sources of the “serendipitous” XMM-Newton survey presented in the 3XMMDR4 catalog (the median X-ray flux is ≈5 × 10^?15 erg s^?1 cm^?2 in the 0.5–2 keV energy band) and located at high Galactic latitudes |b| > 20° in Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) fields with a total area of about 300 deg². Photometric SDSS data as well infrared 2MASS and WISE data were used to select the objects. We selected the point sources from the photometric SDSS catalog with a magnitude error δ _mz′ < 0.2 and a color i′ ? z′ < 0.6 (to first eliminate the M-type stars). For the selected sources, we have calculated the dependences χ²(z) for various spectral templates from the library that we compiled for these purposes using the EAZY software. Based on these data, we have rejected the objects whose spectral energy distributions are better described by the templates of stars at z = 0 and obtained a sample of quasars with photometric redshift estimates 2.75 < z _phot < 5.5. The selection completeness of known quasars at z _spec > 3 in the investigated fields is shown to be about 80%. The normalized median absolute deviation (Δz = |z _spec ? z _phot|) is σ _Δz /(1+z _spec) = 0.07, while the outlier fraction is η = 9% when Δz/(1 + z _спек.) > 0.2. The number of objects per unit area in our sample exceeds the number of quasars in the spectroscopic SDSS sample at the same redshifts approximately by a factor of 1.5. The subsequent spectroscopic testing of the redshifts of our selected candidates for quasars at 3 < z < 5.5 will allow the purity of this sample to be estimated more accurately.     

Decomposition of product of certain functions relevant to the solution of transfer equations by Wiener-Hopf technique

Decomposition of the product of functions like exp (– ⁰/z)S ⁺(z) [S ⁺(z = ₀ ¹ P(x) dx/(x–z)], obtained by Das Gupta (1978) and relevant to the solution of equations of radiative transfer or of transfer problems in finite media by Wiener-Hopf technique, is reviewed and transformed to quite simple integral forms amenable to easy numerical evaluations. The same forms are then shown to be directly obtainable in one step under a slightly stronger condition consistent with practical cases.     

Tidal structures of z ∼ 1 galaxies in the Hubble Deep Field

An analysis of the images of objects in the Northern Hubble Space Telescope Deep Field has revealed twelve galaxies with tidal tails at redshifts from 0.5 to 1.5. The integrated characteristics of the newly discovered tidal structures are found to be similar to those of the tails of local interacting galaxies. The space density of galaxies with tidal tails is found to depend on z as (1+z)^4±1(q ₀=0.05), according to the data on objects with z=0.5–1.0. The exponent decreases to 3.6 if barred galaxies are included. The change in the rate of close encounters between galaxies of comparable masses (i.e., those that produce extended tidal structures) is estimated. If the rate of galactic mergers is governed by the same process, our data are indicative of the rapid evolution of galaxy merger rate toward z ～ 1.     

Jovian chromophore characteristics from multispectral HST images

The chromophores responsible for coloring the jovian atmosphere are embedded within Jupiter’s vertical aerosol structure. Sunlight propagates through this vertical distribution of aerosol particles, whose colors are defined by ?₀(λ), and we remotely observe the culmination of the radiative transfer as I/F(λ). In this study, we employed a radiative transfer code to retrieve ?₀(λ) for particles in Jupiter’s tropospheric haze at seven wavelengths in the near-UV and visible regimes. The data consisted of images of the 2008 passage of Oval BA to the south of the Great Red Spot obtained by the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 on-board the Hubble Space Telescope. We present derived particle colors for locations that were selected from 14 weather regions, which spanned a large range of observed colors. All ?₀(λ) curves were absorbing in the blue, and ?₀(λ) increased monotonically to approximately unity as wavelength increased. We found accurate fits to all ?₀(λ) curves using an empirically derived functional form: ?₀(λ) = 1 − A exp(−Bλ). The best-fit parameters for the mean ?₀(λ) curve were A = 25.4 and B = 0.0149 for λ in units of nm. We performed a principal component analysis (PCA) on our ?₀(λ) results and found that one or two independent chromophores were sufficient to produce the variations in ?₀(λ). A PCA of I/F(λ) for the same jovian locations resulted in principal components (PCs) with roughly the same variances as the ?₀(λ) PCA, but they did not result in a one-to-one mapping of PC amplitudes between the ?₀(λ) PCA and I/F(λ) PCA. We suggest that statistical analyses performed on I/F(λ) image cubes have limited applicability to the characterization of chromophores in the jovian atmosphere due to the sensitivity of I/F(λ) to horizontal variations in the vertical aerosol distribution.     

Generalized teleparallel gravity via some scalar field dark energy models

We consider generalized teleparallel gravity in the flat FRW universe with a viable power-law f(T) model. We construct its equation of state and deceleration parameters which give accelerated expansion of the universe in quintessence era for the obtained scale factor. Further, we develop correspondence of f(T) model with scalar field models such as, quintessence, tachyon, K-essence and dilaton. The dynamics of scalar field as well as scalar potential of these models indicate the expansion of the universe with acceleration in the f(T) gravity scenario.     

Observational study of higher dimensional magnetic universe in non-linear electrodynamics

In this work, we have considered the flat FRW model of the universe in (n+2)-dimensions filled with the dark matter and the magnetic field. We present the Hubble parameter in terms of the observable parameters Ω _m0 and H ₀ with the redshift z and the other parameters like B ₀, ω, μ ₀, δ, n, w _m . The natures of magnetic field B, deceleration parameter q and $\operatorname{Om}$ diagnostic have also been analyzed for accelerating expansion of the universe. From Stern data set (12 points), we have obtained the bounds of the arbitrary parameters by minimizing the χ ² test. The best-fit values of the parameters are obtained by 66 %, 90 % and 99 % confidence levels. Now to find the bounds of the parameters (B ₀,ω) and to draw the statistical confidence contour, we fixed four parameters μ ₀, δ, n, w _m . Here the parameter n determines the higher dimensions and we perform comparative study between three cases: 4D (n=2), 5D (n=3) and 6D (n=4) respectively. Next due to joint analysis with BAO observation, we have also obtained the bounds of the parameters (B ₀,ω) by fixing other parameters μ ₀, δ, n, w _m for 4D, 5D and 6D. The best fit of distance modulus for our theoretical model and the Supernova Type Ia Union2 sample are drawn for different dimensions.     

Evolution of the universe in inverse and lnf(R) gravity

Evolution of the universe is discussed in the framework of f(R) theory of gravity. The deceleration parameter is used to interpret various phases of the universe. We investigate the future evolution of the flat FRW universe by using observationally viable f(R) models. A numerical technique is applied to solve the evolution equation in terms of Hubble parameter which is used to explore late time acceleration of the universe. Some novel and interesting results based on the choice of coupling parameters in gravitational action are obtained. We can conclude that the considered f(R) models imply unification of matter dominated epoch with present accelerating phase of the universe.     

Dark energy and the anthropic principle

The Hubble constant is split into two terms H = H₁ + H₂ , where H₁ is a decreasing function due to the Big Bang and the subsequent gravitational interaction that slows the expansion of the Universe and H₂ is an increasing function that corresponds to dark energy which accelerates this expansion. For T = 13.7 Gyr we prove that H₂(T) > 5 m/(yr AU). This is a quite large number and thus the impact of dark energy, which is spread almost everywhere uniformly, should be observable not only on large scales, but also in our Solar system. In particular, we show that Earth, Mars and other planets were closer to the Sun 4.5 Gyr ago. The recession speed ≈5.3 m/yr of the Earth from the Sun seems to be just right for an almost constant influx of solar energy from the origin of life on Earth up to the present over which time the Sun’s luminosity has increased approximately linearly. This presents further support for the Anthropic Principle. Namely, the existence of dark energy guarantees very stable conditions for the development of intelligent life on Earth over a period of 3.5 Gyr.     

Kinematics of stellar populations with RAVE data

We study the kinematics of the Galactic thin and thick disk populations using stars from the RAVE survey’s second data release together with distance estimates from Breddels et al. (2010). The velocity distribution exhibits the expected moving groups present in the solar neighborhood. We separate thick and thin disk stars by applying the X (stellar-population) criterion of Schuster et al. (1993), which takes into account both kinematic and metallicity information. For 1906 thin disk and 110 thick disk stars classified in this way, we find a vertical velocity dispersion, mean rotational velocity and mean orbital eccentricity of (σ_W, 〈V_Φ〉, 〈e〉)_thin = (18 ± 0.3 km s⁻¹, 223 ± 0.4 km s⁻¹, 0.07 ± 0.07) and (σ_W, 〈V_Φ〉, 〈e〉)_thick = (35 ± 2 km s⁻¹, 163 ± 3 km s⁻¹, 0.31 ± 0.16), respectively. From the radial Jeans equation, we derive a thick disk scale length in the range 1.5-2.2 kpc, whose greatest uncertainty lies in the adopted form of the underlying potential. The shape of the orbital eccentricity distribution indicates that the thick disk stars in our sample most likely formed in situ with minor gas-rich mergers and/or radial migration being the most likely cause for their orbits. We further obtain mean metal abundances of 〈[M/H]〉_thin = +0.03 ± 0.17, and 〈[M/H]〉_thick = −0.51 ± 0.23, in good agreement with previous estimates. We estimate a radial metallicity gradient in the thin disk of −0.07 dex kpc⁻¹, which is larger than predicted by chemical evolution models where the disk grows inside-out from infalling gas. It is, however, consistent with models where significant migration of stars shapes the chemical signature of the disk, implying that radial migration might play at least part of a role in the thick disk’s formation.     

Early decelerating & late time accelerating anisotropic cosmological models with dynamical EoS parameter

We have studied anisotropic and homogeneous Locally Rotationally Symmetric (LRS) Bianchi type-I, Bianchi type-V, Bianchi type-III, Bianchi type-VI₀, and Kantowaski–Sachs space-times with variable equation of state (EoS) parameter (w) in General Relativity. A special form of deceleration parameter (q) which gives an early deceleration and late time accelerating cosmological model has been utilized to solve the field equations. The geometrical and physical aspects of the models are also studied.     

Flowing afterglow studies of temperature dependencies for electron dissociative recombination of HCNH, CH3CNH and CH3CH2CNH and their symmetrical proton-bound dimers

A study has been made using a variable temperature flowing afterglow Langmuir probe technique (VT-FALP) to determine the equilibrium temperature dependencies of the dissociative electron-ion recombination of the protonated cyanide ions (RCNH⁺, where R=H, CH₃ and C₂H₅) and their symmetrical proton-bound dimers (RCNH⁺NCR). The power law temperature dependencies of the recombination coefficients, α_e, over the temperature range 180 to 600 K for the protonated ions are α_e(T)(cm³ s⁻¹)=3.5±0.5×10⁻⁷ (300/T)^1.38 for HCNH⁺, α_e(T)=3.4±0.5×10⁻⁷ (300/T)^1.03 for CH₃CNH⁺, and α_e(T)=4.6±0.7×10⁻⁷ (300/T)^0.81 for CH₃CH₂CNH⁺. The equivalent values for the proton-bound dimers are α_e(T)(cm³ s⁻¹)=2.4±0.4×10⁻⁶(300/T)^0.5 for (HCN)₂H⁺ to α_e(T)=2.8±0.4×10⁻⁶(300/T)^0.5 for (CH₃CN)₂H⁺, and α_e(T)=2.3±0.3×10⁻⁶(300/T)^0.5 for (CH₃CH₂CN)₂H⁺. The relevance of these data to molecular synthesis in the interstellar medium and the Titan ionosphere are discussed.