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We perform a model independent reconstruction of the cosmic expansion rate based on type Ia supernova data. Using the Union 2.1 data set, we show that the Hubble parameter behaviour allowed by the data without making any hypothesis about cosmological model or underlying gravity theory is consistent with a flat LCDM universe having H_0 = 70.43 +- 0.33 and Omega_m=0.297 +- 0.020, weakly dependent on the choice of initial scatter matrix. This is in closer agreement with the recently released Planck results (H_0 = 67.3 +- 1.2, Omega_m = 0.314 +- 0.020) than other standard analyses based on type Ia supernova data. We argue this might be an indication that, in order to tackle subtle deviations from the standard cosmological model present in type Ia supernova data, it is mandatory to go beyond parametrized approaches.
We use the newly published 28 observational Hubble parameter data ($H(z)$) and current largest SNe Ia samples (Union2.1) to test whether the universe is transparent. Three cosmological-model-independent methods (nearby SNe Ia method, interpolation method and smoothing method) are proposed through comparing opacity-free distance modulus from Hubble parameter data and opacity-dependent distance modulus from SNe Ia . Two parameterizations, $tau(z)=2epsilon z$ and $tau(z)=(1+z)^{2epsilon}-1$ are adopted for the optical depth associated to the cosmic absorption. We find that the results are not sensitive to the methods and parameterizations. Our results support a transparent universe.
In this paper, we use a set of observational $H(z)$ data (OHD) to constrain the $Lambda$CDM cosmology. This data set can be derived from the differential ages of the passively evolving galaxies. Meanwhile, the $mathcal {A}$-parameter, which describes the Baryonic Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) peak, and the newly measured value of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) shift parameter $mathcal {R}$ are used to present combinational constraints on the same cosmology. The combinational constraints favor an accelerating flat universe while the flat $Lambda$CDM cosmology is also analyzed in the same way. We obtain a result compatible with that by many other independent cosmological observations. We find that the observational $H(z)$ data set is a complementarity to other cosmological probes.
Cosmological parameter estimation is entering a new era. Large collaborations need to coordinate high-stakes analyses using multiple methods; furthermore such analyses have grown in complexity due to sophisticated models of cosmology and systematic uncertainties. In this paper we argue that modularity is the key to addressing these challenges: calculations should be broken up into interchangeable modular units with inputs and outputs clearly defined. We present a new framework for cosmological parameter estimation, CosmoSIS, designed to connect together, share, and advance development of inference tools across the community. We describe the modules already available in CosmoSIS, including CAMB, Planck, cosmic shear calculations, and a suite of samplers. We illustrate it using demonstration code that you can run out-of-the-box with the installer available at http://bitbucket.org/joezuntz/cosmosis
Applying the distance sum rule in strong gravitational lensing (SGL) and type Ia supernova (SN Ia) observations, one can provide an interesting cosmological model-independent method to determine the cosmic curvature parameter $Omega_k$. In this paper, with the newly compiled data sets including 161 galactic-scale SGL systems and 1048 SN Ia data, we place constraints on $Omega_k$ within the framework of three types of lens models extensively used in SGL studies. Moreover, to investigate the effect of different mass lens samples on the results, we divide the SGL sample into three sub-samples based on the center velocity dispersion of intervening galaxies. In the singular isothermal sphere (SIS) and extended power-law lens models, a flat universe is supported with the uncertainty about 0.2, while a closed universe is preferred in the power-law lens model. We find that the choice of lens models and the classification of SGL data actually can influence the constraints on $Omega_k$ significantly.
Aiming at exploring the nature of dark energy (DE), we use forty-three observational Hubble parameter data (OHD) in the redshift range $0 < z leqslant 2.36$ to make a cosmological model-independent test of the $Lambda$CDM model with two-point $Omh^2(z_{2};z_{1})$ diagnostic. In $Lambda$CDM model, with equation of state (EoS) $w=-1$, two-point diagnostic relation $Omh^2 equiv Omega_m h^2$ is tenable, where $Omega_m$ is the present matter density parameter, and $h$ is the Hubble parameter divided by 100 $rm km s^{-1} Mpc^{-1}$. We utilize two methods: the weighted mean and median statistics to bin the OHD to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the measurements. The binning methods turn out to be promising and considered to be robust. By applying the two-point diagnostic to the binned data, we find that although the best-fit values of $Omh^2$ fluctuate as the continuous redshift intervals change, on average, they are continuous with being constant within 1 $sigma$ confidence interval. Therefore, we conclude that the $Lambda$CDM model cannot be ruled out.