Observational cosmology

The main strands of observation in cosmology are presented. These are redshift surveys using standard candles; galaxy distributions; age estimates drawing on a number of strands of evidence; and the CMB radiation. The chapter begins with a discussion of systemtic and statistical error in measurements, and explains the terminology of “Lambda CDM” model. Observations are combined with the Friedman equation in order to constrain the density parameters in a LCDM model. Data from supernova surveys are used to obtain the Hubble parameter and the deceleration parameter, and hence evidence of an accelerating expansion. Evidence of the BAO process is deduced from sky surveys, and used to constrain the spatial curvature. The CMB radiation is discussed at length. The Sachs-Wolfe effect is obtained by a simple calculation,. The method to deduce spatial curvature from the position of the acoustic peaks is outlined. Further features such as spectal index and polarization are briefly discussed.

A multi-messenger view of cosmic dawn: Conquering the final frontier

The epoch of Cosmic Dawn, when the first stars and galaxies were born, is widely considered as the final frontier of observational cosmology today. Mapping the period between Cosmic Dawn and the present-day provides access to more than 90% of the baryonic (normal) matter in the universe, and unlocks several thousand times more Fourier modes of information than available in today’s cosmological surveys. We review the progress in modeling baryonic gas observations as tracers of the cosmological large-scale structure from Cosmic Dawn to the present day. We illustrate how the description of dark matter haloes can be extended to describe baryonic gas abundances and clustering. This innovative approach allows us to fully utilize our current knowledge of astrophysics to constrain cosmological parameters from future observations. Combined with the information content of multi-messenger probes, this will also elucidate the properties of the first supermassive black holes at Cosmic Dawn. We present a host of fascinating implications for constraining physics beyond the [Formula: see text]CDM model, including tests of the theories of inflation and the cosmological principle, the effects of nonstandard dark matter, and possible deviations from Einstein’s general relativity on the largest scales.

Fractional-order derivatives in cosmological models of accelerated expansion

In this brief review, we present the results of the fractional differential approach in cosmology in the context of the exact models of cosmological accelerated expansion obtained by several authors to date. Most of these studies are devoted to the problem of introducing fractional derivatives or fractional integrals into the classical General Relativity (GR). There are several observational and theoretical motivations to investigate the modified or alternative theories of GR. Among other things, we cover General Relativity modified by a phenomenological approach dealing with fractional calculus. At the same time, a sufficiently large number of exact solutions of the cosmological equations modified by this approach were obtained. Some of these models may be especially relevant in the light of solving the problem of late accelerated expansion of the Universe. These studies are largely motivated by rapid progress in the field of observational cosmology that now allows, for the first time, precision tests of fundamental physics on the scale of the observable Universe. The purpose of this review is to provide a reference tool for researchers and students in cosmology and gravitational physics, as well as a self-contained, comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the subject as a whole.

Wide Band Antenna with Ultra-smooth Spectral Characteristics

Understanding the evolution of Universe is, in the forefront of, the modern day observational cosmology. It requires precise and accurate measurement of cosmological signal, orders of magnitude weaker than the bright sky background. Detection of such a signal having distinct spectral signature, needs an antenna with frequency independent characteristics over more than an octave bandwidth. A spherical monopole antenna has been designed to operate in the frequency range 50-200 MHz with a spectral smoothness of about few parts in 104. The structure has been modeled and optimized using WIPL-D, to minimize spectral features arising out of abrupt reflections of surface currents and frequency dependent radiation patterns. A prototype has been built to validate the design. This paper presents the methodology adopted in the overall antenna design, experiences in its prototyping and simulation and the measurement results.

Cosmic Bayes. Datasets and priors in the hunt for dark energy

Bayesian methods are ubiquitous in contemporary observational cosmology. They enter into three main tasks: (I) cross-checking datasets for consistency; (II) fixing constraints on cosmological parameters; and (III) model selection. This article explores some epistemic limits of using Bayesian methods. The first limit concerns the degree of informativeness of the Bayesian priors and an ensuing methodological tension between task (I) and task (II). The second limit concerns the choice of wide flat priors and related tension between (II) parameter estimation and (III) model selection. The Dark Energy Survey (DES) and its recent Year 1 results illustrate both these limits concerning the use of Bayesianism.

The Line-of-Sight Analysis of Spatial Distribution of Galaxies in the COSMOS2015 Catalogue

New observations of high-redshift objects are crucial for the improvement of the standard ΛCDM cosmological model and our understanding of the Universe. One of the main directions of modern observational cosmology is the analysis of the large-scale structure of Universe, in particular, in deep fields. We study the large-scale structure of the Universe along the line of sight using the latest version of the COSMOS2015 catalogue, which contains 518,404 high quality photometric redshifts of galaxies selected in the optical range of the COSMOS field (2×2 deg2), with depth up to the redshift z∼6. We analyze large-scale fluctuations in the number of galaxies along the line of sight and provide an estimate of the average linear sizes of the self-correlating fluctuations (structures) in independent redshift bins of Δz=0.1 along with the estimate of the standard deviation from homogeneity (the observed cosmic variance). We suggest a new method of the line-of-sight analysis based on previous works and formulate further prospects of method development. For the case of the theoretical form of approximation of homogeneity in the ΛCDM framework, the average standard deviation of detected structures from homogeneity is σmeanΛCDM=0.09±0.02, and the average characteristic size of structures is RmeanΛCDM=790±150 Mpc. For the case of the empirical approximation of homogeneity, the average standard deviation of detected structures from homogeneity is σmeanempiric=0.08±0.01, and the average characteristic size of structures is Rmeanempiric=640±140 Mpc.

Einstein’s Geometrical versus Feynman’s Quantum-Field Approaches to Gravity Physics: Testing by Modern Multimessenger Astronomy

Modern multimessenger astronomy delivers unique opportunity for performing crucial observations that allow for testing the physics of the gravitational interaction. These tests include detection of gravitational waves by advanced LIGO-Virgo antennas, Event Horizon Telescope observations of central relativistic compact objects (RCO) in active galactic nuclei (AGN), X-ray spectroscopic observations of Fe Kα line in AGN, Galactic X-ray sources measurement of masses and radiuses of neutron stars, quark stars, and other RCO. A very important task of observational cosmology is to perform large surveys of galactic distances independent on cosmological redshifts for testing the nature of the Hubble law and peculiar velocities. Forthcoming multimessenger astronomy, while using such facilities as advanced LIGO-Virgo, Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), ALMA, WALLABY, JWST, EUCLID, and THESEUS, can elucidate the relation between Einstein’s geometrical and Feynman’s quantum-field approaches to gravity physics and deliver a new possibilities for unification of gravitation with other fundamental quantum physical interactions.

A new approach to observational cosmology using the scattering transform

ABSTRACT Parameter estimation with non-Gaussian stochastic fields is a common challenge in astrophysics and cosmology. In this paper, we advocate performing this task using the scattering transform, a statistical tool sharing ideas with convolutional neural networks (CNNs) but requiring neither training nor tuning. It generates a compact set of coefficients, which can be used as robust summary statistics for non-Gaussian information. It is especially suited for fields presenting localized structures and hierarchical clustering, such as the cosmological density field. To demonstrate its power, we apply this estimator to a cosmological parameter inference problem in the context of weak lensing. On simulated convergence maps with realistic noise, the scattering transform outperforms classic estimators and is on a par with the state-of-the-art CNN. It retains advantages of traditional statistical descriptors, has provable stability properties, allows to check for systematics, and importantly, the scattering coefficients are interpretable. It is a powerful and attractive estimator for observational cosmology and the study of physical fields in general.