Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2005-03-31
Publ.Astron.Soc.Austral.22:287,2005
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
5 pages, 1 figure; a didactic article; matches the version accepted for publication in PASA
Scientific paper
10.1071/AS05016
Based on the magnitude--redshift diagram for the sample of supernovae Ia analysed by Perlmutter et al. (1999), Davis & Lineweaver rule out the special relativistic interpretation of cosmological redshifts at a confidence level of 23 sigma. Here, we critically reassess this result. Special relativity is known to describe the dynamics of an empty universe, by means of the Milne kinematic model. Applying only special-relativistic concepts, we derive the angular diameter distance and the luminosity distance in the Milne model. In particular, in this model we do not use the underlying metric in its Robertson-Walker form, so our exposition is useful for readers without any knowledge of general relativity. We do however, explicitly use the special-relativistic Doppler formula for redshift. We apply the derived luminosity distance to the magnitude--redshift diagram for supernovae Ia of Perlmutter et al. (1999) and show that special relativity fits the data much better than that claimed by Davis & Lineweaver. Specifically, using these data alone, the Milne model is ruled out only at a 2 sigma level. Although not a viable cosmological model, in the context of current research on supernovae Ia it remains a useful reference model when comparing predictions of various cosmological models.
No associations
LandOfFree
Cosmology under Milne's shadow does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Cosmology under Milne's shadow, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cosmology under Milne's shadow will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-721308