Is dark energy really responsible for the expansion of the universe?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the paper "Dark energy: myths and reality" by V.N. Lukash and V.A. Rubakov, which critiques the conclusions of A.D. Chernin regarding dark energy's role in the universe's expansion. The authors assert that large-scale structure formation will persist for approximately ten billion years, despite dark energy's influence. They suggest that superclusters may experience gravitational collapse in the future, even as their galaxies currently expand. The paper also briefly addresses alternative theories like quintessence and higher-dimensional models of dark energy.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of dark energy and its implications in cosmology
  • Familiarity with large-scale structure formation in the universe
  • Knowledge of gravitational dynamics and superclusters
  • Awareness of alternative theories in cosmology, such as quintessence
NEXT STEPS
  • Read "Dark energy: myths and reality" by V.N. Lukash and V.A. Rubakov
  • Investigate the Integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect and its relevance to cosmic observations
  • Explore the concept of gravitational collapse in cosmological structures
  • Study alternative theories of dark energy, including quintessence and higher-dimensional models
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Astronomers, cosmologists, and astrophysics researchers interested in the dynamics of dark energy and its effects on the universe's structure and evolution.

wolram
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arXiv:0807.1635 [ps, pdf, other]
Title: Dark energy: myths and reality
Authors: V.N. Lukash (Astro Space Centre of P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute, Moscow, Russia), V.A. Rubakov (Institute for Nuclear Research, Moscow, Russia)
Comments: 17 pages, 2 figures
Journal-ref: Physics-Uspekhi 51 (3), pp. 283-289 (2008)
Subjects: Astrophysics (astro-ph)

We discuss the questions related to dark energy in the Universe. We note that in spite of the effect of dark energy, large-scale structure is still being generated in the Universe and this will continue for about ten billion years. We also comment on some statements in the paper ``Dark energy and universal antigravitation'' by A.D. Chernin [4]
 
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Hi wolram,

Nice paper from Lukash & Rubikov, thanks for bringing it to our attention. It sure throws cold water on Chernin's conclusions. Unusually strong critisism.

If I understand the gist of the paper, it is saying that large scale structure formation can continue for another 10 Gy or so into the future, despite the retarding influence of dark energy.

So for example, even if most superclusters are currently expanding, their expansion rate may have already slowed sufficiently that it is possible they will experience true gravitational collapse some Gy in the future, when their expansion rate actually turns negative. So in that sense a supercluster might be considered "gravitationally bound" at present even though most of its galaxies currently are moving farther apart. An interesting point to keep in mind when interpreting Integrated Sachs-Wolfe observations.

Although Lukash & Rubikov want to keep the door open for quintessence and higher-dimension theories of dark energy, that section seems like a fairly cursory tangent away from their main point.

Jon