Formula for the dark energy density (dark energy formula)

In summary: (http://lambda.gsfc.nasa.gov/product/map/dr4/pub_papers/sevenyear/basic_results/wmap_7yr_basic_results.pdf, retrieved 2011-10-18).
  • #1
Alexroma
34
0
I propose a formula for the dark energy density (dark energy formula):

ΩΛ = ΩbAeh/t2

In this equation:
ΩΛ is the dark energy density, with the estimated value from 0.712 to 0.743, according to WMAP seven-year data release [1];
Ωb is the baryon density, 0.0456 ±0.0016, according to WMAP seven-year data release [1];
Aeh is the area of a sphere represented by the event horizon of the Universe, calculated as 4πr2, where r is the distance to the event horizon (currently estimated at about 16 billion light years [2]);
t is the age of the Universe, currently 13.75 ±0.11 billion years, according to WMAP seven-year data release [1].

This formula adequately describes the state of the Universe, as the calculated value of the dark energy density is in conformity with its actual value within the established margins (from 0.712 to 0.743):
for the minimum calculated value, ΩΛ = 0.044×4π×162/13.862 = 0.737
for the maximum calculated value, ΩΛ = 0.0472×4π×162/13.642 = 0.816

References
[1] Table 8 on p. 39 of Jarosik, N., et.al. (WMAP Collaboration). Seven-Year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) Observations: Sky Maps, Systematic Errors, and Basic Results (PDF). nasa.gov (2010). (http://lambda.gsfc.nasa.gov/product...year/basic_results/wmap_7yr_basic_results.pdf, retrieved 2011-10-18).
[2] Tamara M. Davis, Charles H. Lineweaver. Misconceptions about the Big Bang, Scientific American (2005), and Expanding Confusion: Common Misconceptions of Cosmological Horizons and the Superluminal Expansion of the Universe, Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia, 2004, 21, 97-109.
 
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  • #2
To get good agreement with observation, we need ΩΛ≈0 for early times. Your formula would have ΩΛ> Ωb then.
 
  • #3
You are right, my formula doesn't work for "early times", but there is a good reason for that: the acceleration began only about 5 billion years ago. My formula makes no sense for the times when there was no acceleration, because there wasn't cosmological event horizon either. I mean, there is no "event horizon" in the models of universes dominated by matter or by radiation.
 
  • #4
Alexroma said:
You are right, my formula doesn't work for "early times", but there is a good reason for that: the acceleration began only about 5 billion years ago. My formula makes no sense for the times when there was no acceleration, because there wasn't cosmological event horizon either. I mean, there is no "event horizon" in the models of universes dominated by matter or by radiation.
Then why would you think this is an explanation?
 
  • #5
Chalnoth said:
Then why would you think this is an explanation?

Good point. May be, this formula works only for the present time. May be, it's not complete. May be, it's just a coincidence that it works. I'll be working on it further.
 
  • #6
Reality check: how it works with 2013 Planck Collaboration results

I checked if this dark energy formula works with the cosmological parameter values (Planck+WP+highL+BAO, Best fit) produced in 2013 by the Planck Collaboration [1].
It turned out that it perfectly works with the addition of one previously missed element, i.e. density fluctuations at 8h−1 Mpc (σ8).

The dark energy formula now looks like this:
ΩΛ = σ8ΩbAeh/t2

In this equation:
ΩΛ is the dark energy density, 0.6914, according to Planck 2013 results [1];
σ8 is the density fluctuations at 8h−1 Mpc, 0.8288, according to Planck 2013 results [1];
Ωb is the baryon density, 0.05, according to Planck 2013 results [2];
Aeh is the area of a sphere represented by the event horizon of the Universe, calculated as 4πr2, where r is the distance to the event horizon (currently estimated at about 16 billion light years [3]);
t is the age of the Universe, 13.7965 billion years, according to Planck 2013 results [1].

With all this cosmological parameter values, the formula adequately describes the state of the Universe, as the calculated value of the dark energy density (0.7004) is in accordance with the empirical evidence (0.6914).

References
[1] Planck 2013 results. I. Overview of products and scientific results. Astronomy & Astrophysics manuscript no. Planck Mission 2013. March 22, 2013. http://arxiv.org/pdf/1303.5062v1.pdf, page 36, Table 9.
[2] Planck 2013 results. I. Overview of products and scientific results. Astronomy & Astrophysics manuscript no. Planck Mission 2013. March 22, 2013. http://arxiv.org/pdf/1303.5062v1.pdf, page 34.
[3] Tamara M. Davis, Charles H. Lineweaver. Misconceptions about the Big Bang, Scientific American (2005), and Expanding Confusion: Common Misconceptions of Cosmological Horizons and the Superluminal Expansion of the Universe, Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia, 2004, 21, 97-109.
 

1. What is the formula for the dark energy density?

The formula for the dark energy density is ρDE = Λ/8πG, where ρDE represents the density of dark energy, Λ is the cosmological constant, and G is the gravitational constant.

2. How was the dark energy formula discovered?

The dark energy formula was first proposed by Albert Einstein in his theory of general relativity in 1917. However, the concept of dark energy was not fully understood until the late 1990s, when observations of distant supernovae showed that the expansion of the universe is accelerating, indicating the presence of a mysterious energy that is driving this acceleration.

3. What is the significance of the dark energy formula?

The dark energy formula is significant because it helps to explain the observed acceleration of the expansion of the universe. It also provides a mathematical representation of the mysterious force that is responsible for this acceleration.

4. Can the dark energy formula be directly measured?

No, the dark energy formula cannot be directly measured as dark energy itself is currently not directly observable. However, its effects on the expansion of the universe can be measured through various observations, such as the distance and redshift of distant galaxies.

5. Is the dark energy formula universally accepted by scientists?

While the dark energy formula is widely accepted by the scientific community, there are still ongoing debates and research regarding its exact nature and properties. Further studies and observations are needed to fully understand this mysterious force.

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