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Based on quantum mechanical framework for the minimal length uncertainty, we demonstrate that the generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) parameter could be best constrained by recent gravitational waves observations on one hand. On the other hand, this suggests modified dispersion relations (MDRs) enabling an estimation for the difference between the group velocity of gravitons and that of photons. Utilizing features of the UV/IR correspondence and the obvious similarities between GUP (including non‐gravitating and gravitating impacts on Heisenberg uncertainty principle) and the discrepancy between the theoretical and the observed cosmological constant (apparently manifesting gravitational influences on the vacuum energy density), we suggest a possible solution for the cosmological constant problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effort for understanding the matter and energy content of the Universe and its evolution relies on different probes, such as cosmic background radiation, cluster lensing, supernovae. Yet, we are still far from grasping what dark matter is made of, and what the physical origin of dark energy is. Our group has developed a technique that makes use of the observed non-linear relation between the ultraviolet and the X-ray luminosity in quasars to provide an independent measurement of their distances, thus turning quasars into standardizable candles. This technique, at present, it is mostly based upon quasar samples with data from public catalogs both in the X-rays and in the optical/ultraviolet and extends the Hubble diagram of supernovae to a redshift range still poorly explored (z > 2). From the X-ray perspective, we are now on the eve of a major change, as the upcoming mission eROSITA is going to provide us with up to ~3 millions of active galactic nuclei across the entire sky. Here we present predictions for constraining cosmological parameters, such as the amount of dark matter (Ωm), dark energy (ΩΛ) and the evolution of the equation of state of dark energy (w) through the Hubble diagram of quasars, based on the 4-years eROSITA all-sky survey. Our simulations show that the eROSITA quasars, complemented by redshift and broad-band photometric information, will supply the largest quasar sample at z < 2, but with very few objects available for cosmology at higher redshifts that survives the cut for the Malmquist bias, as eROSITA will sample the brighter end of the X-ray luminosity function. The power of the quasar Hubble diagram for precision cosmology lies in the high-redshift regime, where quasars can be observed up to redshift ~7.5, essential to discriminate amongst different model extrapolations. Therefore, to be competitive for cosmology, the eROSITA quasar Hubble diagram must be complemented with the already available quasar samples and dedicated (deep) large programmes at redshift z > 3.

The Universe is not completely homogeneous. Even if it is sufficiently so on large scales, it is very inhomogeneous at small scales, and this has an effect on light propagation, so that the distance as a function of redshift, which in many cases is defined via light propagation, can differ from the homogeneous case. Simple models can take this into account. I review the history of this idea, its generalization to a wide variety of cosmological models, analytic solutions of simple models, comparison of such solutions with exact solutions and numerical simulations, applications, simpler analytic approximations to the distance equations, and (for all of these aspects) the related concept of a “Swiss-cheese” universe.

The uncertainty on measurements, given by the Heisenberg principle, is a quantum concept usually not taken into account in General Relativity. From a cosmological point of view, several authors wonder how such a principle can be reconciled with the Big Bang singularity, but, generally, not whether it may affect the reliability of cosmological measurements. In this letter, we express the Compton mass as a function of the cosmological redshift. The cosmological application of the indetermination principle unveils the differences of the Hubble-Lemaître constant value, H 0 , as measured from the Cepheids estimates and from the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation constraints. In conclusion, the H 0 tension could be related to the effect of indetermination derived in comparing a kinematic with a dynamic measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we evaluate the fine-structure constant variation that should take place as the pseudo-Riemannian Universe expands and its curvature is changed adiabatically. Such variation of the fine-structure constant is attributed to an energy loss by an extended physical system (consisting of baryonic component and electromagnetic (EM) field) due to expansion of our Universe. Obtained ratio α ̇ / α = 1 ⋅ 1 0 − 1 8 (per second) is only five times smaller than actually reported experimental limit on this value. For this reason, the obtained variation can probably be measured within a couple of years. To argue the correctness of our approach, we calculate the Planck constant as adiabatic invariant of the EM field propagated on the pseudo-Riemannian manifold characterized by slowly varied geometry. Finally, we discuss the double clock experiment based on Al + and Hg + clocks carried out by Rosenband et al. (Science 2008). We show that in this case (when the fine-structure constant is changed adiabatically), the method based on double clock experiment cannot be applied to measure the fine-structure constant variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the framework of scalar-tensor gravity, we consider non-flat interacting quintessence cosmology where a scalar field is interacting with dark matter. Such a scalar field can be a standard or a phantom one. We use the Noether Symmetry Approach to obtain general exact solutions for cosmological equations and to select scalar-field self-interaction potentials. It turns out that the found solutions can reproduce the accelerated expansion of the Universe, and are compatible with observational dataset, as the SNeIa Pantheon data, gamma ray bursts Hubble diagram, and direct measurements of the Hubble parameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NenuFAR, the New Extension in Nancay Upgrading LOFAR, is currently in its early science phase. It is in this context that the Cosmic Filaments and Magnetism Pilot Survey is observing sources with the array as it is still under construction—with 57 (56 core, 1 distant) out of a total planned 102 (96 core, 6 distant) mini-arrays online at the time of observation—to get a first look at the low-frequency sky with NenuFAR. One of its targets is the Coma galaxy cluster: a well-known object, host of the prototype radio halo. It also hosts other features of scientific import, including a radio relic, along with a bridge of emission connecting it with the halo. It is thus a well-studied object.In this paper, we show the first confirmed NenuFAR detection of the radio halo and radio relic of the Coma cluster at 34.4 MHz, with associated intrinsic flux density estimates: we find an integrated flux value of 106.3 ± 3.5 Jy for the radio halo, and 102.0 ± 7.4 Jy for the radio relic. These are upper bound values, as they do not include point-source subtraction. We also give an explanation of the technical difficulties encountered in reducing the data, along with steps taken to resolve them. This will be helpful for other scientific projects which will aim to make use of standalone NenuFAR imaging observations in the future.

Bayesian statistics and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms have found their place in the field of Cosmology. They have become important mathematical and numerical tools, especially in parameter estimation and model comparison. In this paper, we review some fundamental concepts to understand Bayesian statistics and then introduce MCMC algorithms and samplers that allow us to perform the parameter inference procedure. We also introduce a general description of the standard cosmological model, known as the ΛCDM model, along with several alternatives, and current datasets coming from astrophysical and cosmological observations. Finally, with the tools acquired, we use an MCMC algorithm implemented in python to test several cosmological models and find out the combination of parameters that best describes the Universe.

It is conjectured that in cosmological applications the particle current is not modified but finite heat or energy flow. Therefore, comoving Eckart frame is a suitable choice, as it merely ceases the charge and particle diffusion and conserves charges and particles. The cosmic evolution of viscous hadron and parton epochs in casual and non-casual Eckart frame is analyzed. By proposing equations of state deduced from recent lattice QCD simulations including pressure p, energy density ρ, and temperature T, the Friedmann equations are solved. We introduce expressions for the temporal evolution of the Hubble parameter H˙, the cosmic energy density ρ˙, and the share η˙ and the bulk viscous coefficient ζ˙. We also suggest how the bulk viscous pressure Π could be related to H. We conclude that the relativistic theory of fluids, the Eckart frame, and the finite viscous coefficients play essential roles in the cosmic evolution, especially in the hadron and parton epochs.

Cosmological and astrophysical surveys from radio to far-infrared, in both temperature and polarization, offer a unique view of the universe properties and of the formation and evolution of its structures. The last release, close to be finalized, of the Planck mission results sets the scene for cosmological models and parameters, while the comparison with other types of data sets raises the issue of possible tensions about some parameters, first of all the Hubble constant. At the same time, on the extragalactic side, Planck carried out the deepest systematic all-sky survey of SZ galaxy clusters and detected thousands of dusty galaxies and many hundreds of extragalactic radio sources, also allowing us to investigate many specific topics, including molecular hydrogen clouds in galactic halos. The exploitation of future generation of CMB missions and the next radio facilities will allow us to deeply investigate several topics in cosmology and astrophysics, from the existence of primordial gravitational waves to the energy releases in the primeval plasma, from the dawn ages and the epoch of reionization to the formation and evolution of early galaxies and clusters, while a wide set of open astrophysical problems can be studied with future IR missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few statements in cosmology can be made without assuming a cosmological model within which to interpret data. Statements about cosmic acceleration are no exception to this rule, and the inferred positive volume acceleration of our universe often quoted in the literature is valid in the context of the standard Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) class of spacetimes. Using the Joint Light-curve Analysis (JLA) catalogue of supernovae Type Ia (SNIa), we examine the fit of a class of exact scaling solutions with dynamical spatial curvature formulated in the framework of a scalar averaging scheme for relativistic inhomogeneous spacetimes. In these models, global volume acceleration may emerge as a result of the nonlocal variance between expansion rates of clusters and voids, the latter gaining volume dominance in the late-epoch universe. We find best-fit parameters for a scaling model of backreaction that are reasonably consistent with previously found constraints from SNIa, CMB, and baryon acoustic oscillations data. The quality of fit of the scaling solutions is indistinguishable from that of the ΛCDM model and the timescape cosmology from an Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) perspective. This indicates that a broad class of models can account for the z < ∼ 1 expansion history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Universe has a gravitational horizon with a radius R h = c / H coincident with that of the Hubble sphere. This surface separates null geodesics approaching us from those receding, and as free-falling observers within the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker space–time, we see it retreating at proper speed c , giving rise to the eponymously named cosmological model R h = c t. As of today, this cosmology has passed over 20 observational tests, often better than Λ CDM. The gravitational radius R h therefore appears to be highly relevant to cosmological theory, and in this paper we begin to explore its impact on fundamental physics. We calculate the binding energy of a mass m within the horizon and demonstrate that it is equal to m c 2 . This energy is stored when the particle is at rest near the observer, transitioning to a purely kinetic form equal to the particle's escape energy when it approaches R h . In other words, a particle's gravitational coupling to that portion of the Universe with which it is causally connected appears to be the origin of rest-mass energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider two different models of our present universe. We choose the models which consist of different sets of two separate fluids. The first one of each set tries to justify the late time acceleration and the second one is barotropic fluid. The former model considers our present time universe to be homogeneously filled up by Generalized Chaplygin Gas which is interacting with barotropic fluid. On the other hand, the latter model considers that the cosmic acceleration is generated by Modified Chaplygin Gas which is interacting with matter depicted by barotropic equation of state (EoS). For both the models, we consider the interaction term to vary proportionally with Hubble's parameter as well as with the exotic matter/dark energy's energy density. We find an explicit function form of the energy density of the cosmos which is found to depend on different cosmological parameters like scale factor, dark energy and barotropic fluid's EoS parameters and other constants, like interacting constants, etc. We draw curves of effective EoS-s, different cosmological parameters like deceleration parameter q, statefinder parameters r and s with respect to the redshift z (for different values of dark energy and barotropic fluid parameters) and study them thoroughly. We compare two models as well as the nature of dependencies on these models' interaction coefficients. We point out the particular redshift for which the universe may transit from a deceleration to acceleration phase. We tally all these values with different observational data. Here, we also analyze how this value of particular redshift does change for different values of interaction coefficients and different dark energy models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of galaxies at a given flux as a function of the redshift, z, is derived when the z-distance relation is non-standard. In order to compare different models, the same formalism is also applied to the standard cosmology. The observed luminosity function for galaxies of the zCOSMOS catalog at different redshifts is modeled by a new luminosity function for galaxies, which is derived by the truncated beta probability density function. Three astronomical tests, which are the photometric maximum as a function of the redshift for a fixed flux, the mean value of the redshift for a fixed flux, and the luminosity function for galaxies as a function of the redshift, compare the theoretical values of the standard and non-standard model with the observed value. The tests are performed on the FORS Deep Field (FDF) catalog up to redshift z = 1.5 and on the zCOSMOS catalog extending beyond z = 4. These three tests show minimal differences between the standard and the non-standard models.

Observations of the evolution of large-scale structures in the Universe provides unique tools to confront Einstein's theory of General Relativity on cosmological scales. We review weak gravitational lensing and galaxy clustering studies, discussing how these can be used in combination in order to constrain a range of different modified gravity theories. We argue that in order to maximise the future information gain from these probes, theoretical effort will be required in order to model the impact of beyond-Einstein gravity in the nonlinear regime of structure formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to clarify the tension between estimates of the Hubble Constant (H0) from local (z ≪ 1) and global (z ≫ 1) measurements, Lima and Cunha (LC) proposed a new method to measure H0 in intermediate redshifts (z ≈ 1), which were obtained H0 = 74.1 ± 2.2 km s− 1Mpc− 1 (1σ), in full agreement to local measurements via Supernovae/Cepheid dataset. However, Holanda et al. (Month. Not. R. Astronom. Soc. Lett. 443(1) L74-L78 (2014)) affirm that a better understanding of the morphology of galaxy clusters in LC framework is needed to a more robust and accurate determination of H0. Moreover, that kind of sample has been strongly questioned in the literature. In this context, (i) we investigated if the sample of galaxy clusters used by LC has a relevant role in their results, then (ii) we perform a more accurate and competitive determination of H0 in intermediate redshifts, free of unknown systematic uncertainties. First, we found that the exclusion of the sample of galaxy clusters from the determination initially proposed by LC leads to significantly different results. Finally, we performed a new determination in H0, where we obtained H0 = 68.00 ± 2.20 km s− 1 Mpc− 1 (1σ) with statistical and systematic errors and H0=68.71−1.45+1.37 km s− 1 Mpc− 1 (1σ) with statistical errors only. Contrary to those obtained by LC, these values are in full harmony with the global measurements via Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation and to the other recent estimates of H0 in intermediate redshifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze a fully geometric approach to dark energy in the framework of F(R,𝒢) theories of gravity, where R is the Ricci curvature scalar and 𝒢 is the Gauss–Bonnet topological invariant. The latter invariant naturally exhausts, together with R, the whole curvature content related to curvature invariants coming from the Riemann tensor. In particular, we study a class of F(R,𝒢) models with power law solutions and find that, depending on the value of the geometrical parameter, a shift in the anisotropy peaks position of the temperature power spectrum is produced, as well as an increasing in the matter power spectrum amplitude. This fact could be extremely relevant to fix the form of the F(R,𝒢) model. We also perform an MCMC analysis using both Cosmic Microwave Background data by the Planck (2015) release and the Joint Light-Curve Analysis of the SNLS–SDSS collaborative effort, combined with the current local measurements of the Hubble value, H0, and galaxy data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (BOSS CMASS DR11). We show that such a model can describe the CMB data with slightly high H0 values, and the prediction on the amplitude matter spectrum value is proved to be in accordance with the observed matter distribution of the universe. At the same time, the value constrained for the geometric parameter implies a density evolution of such a component that is growing with time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the generalized attractor model in the context of the late time cosmic acceleration. The model interpolates between the scaling freezing and thawing dark energy models. In the slow roll region, the original potential is modified whereas the modification ceases in the asymptotic region and the effective potential behaves as the quadratic one. In our setting, the field rolls slowly around the present epoch and mimics the scaling behavior in the future. We obtain observational constraints on the model parameters by using an integrated database (SN+Hubble+BAO+CMB). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Despite the observational success of the standard model of cosmology, present-day observations do not tightly constrain the nature of dark matter and dark energy and modifications to the theory of general relativity. Here, we will discuss some of the ongoing and upcoming surveys that will revolutionize our understanding of the dark sector.

The problem of reproducing dark energy effects is reviewed here with particular interest devoted to cosmography. We summarize some of the most relevant cosmological models, based on the assumption that the corresponding barotropic equations of state evolve as the universe expands, giving rise to the accelerated expansion. We describe in detail the ΛCDM (Λ-Cold Dark Matter) and ωCDM models, considering also some specific examples, e.g., Chevallier–Polarsky–Linder, the Chaplygin gas and the Dvali–Gabadadze–Porrati cosmological model. Finally, we consider the cosmological consequences of f(R) and f(T) gravities and their impact on the framework of cosmography. Keeping these considerations in mind, we point out the model-independent procedure related to cosmography, showing how to match the series of cosmological observables to the free parameters of each model. We critically discuss the role played by cosmography, as a selection criterion to check whether a particular model passes or does not present cosmological constraints. In so doing, we find out cosmological bounds by fitting the luminosity distance expansion of the redshift, z, adopting the recent Union 2.1 dataset of supernovae, combined with the baryonic acoustic oscillation and the cosmic microwave background measurements. We perform cosmographic analyses, imposing different priors on the Hubble rate present value. In addition, we compare our results with recent PLANCK limits, showing that the ΛCDM and ωCDM models seem to be the favorite with respect to other dark energy models. However, we show that cosmographic constraints on f(R) and f(T) cannot discriminate between extensions of General Relativity and dark energy models, leading to a disadvantageous degeneracy problem.