No Arabic abstract
An observational tension on estimates of the Hubble parameter, $H_0$, using early and late Universe information, is being of intense discussion in the literature. Additionally, it is of great importance to measure $H_0$ independently of CMB data and local distance ladder method. In this sense, we analyze 15 measurements of the transversal BAO scale, $theta_{rm BAO}$, obtained in a weakly model-dependent approach, in combination with other data sets obtained in a model-independent way, namely, Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) information, 6 gravitationally lensed quasars with measured time delays by the H0LiCOW team, and measures of cosmic chronometers (CC). We find $H_0 = 74.88_{-2.1}^{+1.9}$ km s${}^{-1}$ Mpc${}^{-1}$ and $H_0 = 72.06_{-1.3}^{+1.2}$ km s${}^{-1}$ Mpc${}^{-1}$ from $theta_{BAO}$+BBN+H0LiCOW and $theta_{BAO}$+BBN+CC, respectively, in fully accordance with local measurements. Moreover, we estimate the sound horizon at drag epoch, $r_{rm d}$, independent of CMB data, and find $r_{rm d}=144.1_{-5.5}^{+5.3}$ Mpc (from $theta_{BAO}$+BBN+H0LiCOW) and $r_{rm d} =150.4_{-3.3}^{+2.7}$ Mpc (from $theta_{BAO}$+BBN+CC). In a second round of analysis, we test how the presence of a possible spatial curvature, $Omega_k$, can influence the main results. We compare our constraints on $H_0$ and $r_{rm d}$ with other reported values. Our results show that it is possible to use a robust compilation of transversal BAO data, $theta_{BAO}$, jointly with other model-independent measurements, in such a way that the tension on the Hubble parameter can be alleviated.
Braneworld models with induced gravity exhibit phantom-like behaviour of the effective equation of state of dark energy. They can, therefore, naturally accommodate higher values of $H_0$, preferred by recent local measurements, while satisfying the CMB constraints. We test the background evolution in such phantom braneworld scenarios with the current observational datasets. We find that the phantom braneworld prefers a higher value of $H_0$ even without the R19 prior, thereby providing a much better fit to the local measurements. Although this braneworld model cannot fully satisfy all combinations of cosmological observables, among existing dark energy candidates the phantom brane provides one of the most compelling explanations of cosmic evolution.
It is shown, from the two independent approaches of McCrea-Milne and of Zeldovich, that one can fully recover the set equations corresponding to the relativistic equations of the expanding universe of Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker geometry. Although similar, the Newtonian and relativistic set of equations have a principal difference in the content and hence define two flows, local and global ones, thus naturally exposing the Hubble tension at the presence of the cosmological constant Lambda. From this, we obtain absolute constraints on the lower and upper values for the local Hubble parameter, sqrt{Lambda c^2/3} simeq 56.2$ and sqrt{Lambda c^2} simeq 97.3 (km/sec Mpc^{-1}), respectively. The link to the so-called maximum force--tension issue in cosmological models is revealed.
We investigate a generalized form of the phenomenologically emergent dark energy model, known as generalized emergent dark energy (GEDE), introduced by Li and Shafieloo [Astrophys. J. {bf 902}, 58 (2020)] in light of a series of cosmological probes and considering the evolution of the model at the level of linear perturbations. This model introduces a free parameter $Delta$ that can discriminate between the $Lambda$CDM (corresponds to $Delta=0$) or the phenomenologically emergent dark energy (PEDE) (corresponds to $Delta=1$) models, allowing us to determine which model is preferred most by the fit of the observational datasets. We find evidence in favor of the GEDE model for Planck alone and in combination with R19, while the Bayesian model comparison is inconclusive when Supernovae Type Ia or BAO data are included. In particular, we find that $Lambda$CDM model is disfavored at more than $2sigma$ CL for most of the observational datasets considered in this work and PEDE is in agreement with Planck 2018+BAO+R19 combination within $1sigma$ CL.
We use the ages of old astrophysical objects (OAO) in the redshift range $0 lesssim z lesssim 8$ as stringent tests of the late-time cosmic expansion history. Since the age of the Universe at any redshift is inversely proportional to $H_0$, requiring that the Universe be older than the oldest objects it contains at any redshift, provides an upper limit on $H_0$. Using a combination of galaxies imaged from the CANDELS program and various high-$z$ quasars, we construct an age-redshift diagram of $gtrsim 100$ OAO up to $z sim 8$. Assuming the $Lambda$CDM model at late times, we find the 95%~confidence level upper limit $H_0<73.2,{rm km}/{rm s}/{rm Mpc}$, in slight disagreement with a host of local $H_0$ measurements. Taken at face value, and assuming that the OAO ages are reliable, this suggests that ultimately a combination of pre- and post-recombination ($z lesssim 10$) new physics might be required to reconcile cosmic ages with early-time and local $H_0$ measurements. In the context of the Hubble tension, our results motivate the study of either combined global pre- and post-recombination modifications to $Lambda$CDM, or local new physics which only affects the local $H_0$ measurements.
We re-analyze the Cepheid data used to infer the value of $H_0$ by calibrating SnIa. We do not enforce a universal value of the empirical Cepheid calibration parameters $R_W$ (Cepheid Wesenheit color-luminosity parameter) and $M_H^{W}$ (Cepheid Wesenheit H-band absolute magnitude). Instead, we allow for variation of either of these parameters for each individual galaxy. We also consider the case where these parameters have two universal values: one for low galactic distances $D<D_c$ and one for high galactic distances $D>D_c$ where $D_c$ is a critical transition distance. We find hints for a $3sigma$ level mismatch between the low and high galactic distance parameter values. We then use AIC and BIC criteria to compare and rank the following types of models: Base models: Universal values for $R_W$ and $M_H^{W}$ (no parameter variation), I Individual fitted galactic $R_W$ with a universal fitted $M_H^{W}$, II Universal fixed $R_W$ with individual fitted galactic $M_H^{W}$, III Universal fitted $R_W$ with individual fitted galactic $M_H^{W}$, IV Two universal fitted $R_W$ (near and far) with one universal fitted $M_H^{W}$, V Universal fitted $R_W$ with two universal fitted $M_H^{W}$ (near and far), VI Two universal fitted $R_W$ with two universal fitted $M_H^{W}$ (near and far). We find that the AIC and BIC criteria consistently favor model IV instead of the commonly used Base model where no variation is allowed for the Cepheid empirical parameters. The best fit value of the SnIa absolute magnitude $M_B$ and of $H_0$ implied by the favored model IV is consistent with the inverse distance ladder calibration based on the CMB sound horizon $H_0=67.4pm 0.5,km,s^{-1},Mpc^{-1}$. Thus in the context of the favored model IV the Hubble crisis is not present. This model may imply the presence of a fundamental physics transition taking place at a time more recent than $100,Myrs$ ago.