Observational Constraints on the Averaged Universe

Details Observational Constraints on the Averaged Universe Observational Constraints on the Averaged Universe

2011-11-09

arxiv.org/abs/1111.2214v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics

6 pages, 4 figures

Scientific paper

Averaging in general relativity is a complicated operation, due to the general covariance of the theory and the non-linearity of Einstein's equations. The latter of these ensures that smoothing spacetime over cosmological scales does not yield the same result as solving Einstein's equations with a smooth matter distribution, and that the smooth models we fit to observations need not be simply related to the actual geometry of spacetime. One specific consequence of this is a decoupling of the geometrical spatial curvature term in the metric from the dynamical spatial curvature in the Friedmann equation. Here we investigate the consequences of this decoupling by fitting to a combination of HST, CMB, SNIa and BAO data sets. We find that only the geometrical spatial curvature is tightly constrained, and that our ability to constrain dark energy dynamics will be severely impaired until we gain a thorough understanding of the averaging problem in cosmology.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Observational Constraints on the Averaged Universe 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 Observational Constraints on the Averaged Universe, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Observational Constraints on the Averaged Universe will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-42757