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Assignment 6

This document provides instructions for Assignment 6 on dark energy. It includes 4 questions: [1] Using the Phillips relationship to determine absolute magnitudes of SNe Ia at z=0.4; [2] Computing the peak absolute magnitude and luminosity distance of SN 2017cbv; [3] Using the Phillips relationship on 3 high-redshift SNe Ia; [4] Calculating the Hubble parameter over time for different expansion scenarios. The student is asked to show their work, define symbols, and logically lay out their arguments.

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Yang Woo Seong
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23 views

Assignment 6

This document provides instructions for Assignment 6 on dark energy. It includes 4 questions: [1] Using the Phillips relationship to determine absolute magnitudes of SNe Ia at z=0.4; [2] Computing the peak absolute magnitude and luminosity distance of SN 2017cbv; [3] Using the Phillips relationship on 3 high-redshift SNe Ia; [4] Calculating the Hubble parameter over time for different expansion scenarios. The student is asked to show their work, define symbols, and logically lay out their arguments.

Uploaded by

Yang Woo Seong
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Assignment 6: Dark Energy

(Due: 7 May 2021)

Instructions: Show each step of your calculations. Define the symbols you use. Lay
out your arguments logically and in full.

1. The Phillips relationship expresses the absolute magnitudes of SNe Ia based upon
how quickly their brightness decay from peak brightness. At low redshifts, the light
curves of SNe Ia are measured using a filter − a device that passes light over a
restricted range of wavelengths, referred to as the filter passband – named B. The
figure below shows the passbands of four filters commonly used at optical
wavelengths together with the passband of a filter commonly used at near-infrared
wavelengths. To use the Philips relationship to determine the absolute magnitudes of
SNe Ia at z ≈ 0.4, which filter would you need to use for measuring the light curves of
these events? [10]
2. The figure below shows a picture and light curves of SN 2017cbv (a type Ia
supernova) in NGC 5643, located at a redshift of z = 0.003990. Note that light curves
are measured in four different filers, with each adjacent light curve offset by 1 mag
from the other as indicated in the legend. Compute the peak absolute magnitude in B
of this supernova after scaling by the Phillips relationship, and therefore the distance
to its host galaxy. The distance computed in this manner is known as the luminosity
distance. [20]
3. (Note: Complete Q1 before attempting this question.) The figure below shows
three SNe Ia measured at relatively high redshifts. Use the Phillips relationship to
compute the absolute magnitudes of these supernovae based on the best fits to their
brightnesses over time. [45]
4. The figure below shows possible ways in which the Universe may change in size
over time. At a given epoch, the rate of change in size with time – the rate of
expansion or contraction – of the Universe is equal to the slope of the curve at that
epoch. [45]

Say that d0 is the distance between two galaxies at time t0. At an earlier or later time
t, the distance between these two galaxies is d(t) = a(t)d0, where a(t) is known as the
scale factor. By definition, at the reference time t = 0, a(0) = 1. Denoting the slope of
the curve (expansion or contraction rate) at a given epoch as 𝑎(𝑡), the Hubble
constant is defined as 𝐻 𝑡 = 𝑎 𝑡 /𝑎(𝑡). The following exercise demonstrates that,
in a Universe expanding at a constant rate, the Hubble parameter decreases over time.
In an accelerating Universe, where the expansion rate of the Universe increases with
time, the Hubble constant need not increase over time.

Fill the table below separately for the following three different scenarios for the
evolution of the Universe, where for convenience H(t) is expressed in units of pc yr-1
Mpc-1. Compute H(t) over time intervals of 1 Myr (e.g., at t = 2 Myr, compute H(t)
between 1 Myr and 2 Myr; at t = 3 Myr, compute H(t) between 2 Myr and 3 Myr).

Time, t (Myr) a(t) 𝑎 𝑡 H(t) (pc yr-1 Mpc-1)


1
2
3

Note: for students familiar with calculus, I encourage you to find an analytical
expression for the Hubble parameter by differentiating a(t).
(a) a constant rate of expansion, whereby the separation between two galaxies
increases linearly with time, as is the case for an empty Universe (no radiation,
matter, or dark energy)

Separation (Mpc)

Time (Myr)
(b) a decreasing rate of expansion, whereby the separation between two galaxies
increases ever more slowly over time, as is the case for a Universe containing
radiation and matter but no dark energy. The expansion rate is set to be constant
over 1 Myr intervals to enable easy calculation of the slope between epochs
separated by integer multiples of 1 Myr
Separation (Mpc)

Time (Myr)
(c) an increasing rate of expansion, whereby the separation between two galaxies
increases ever more quickly over time, as is the case for a Universe dominated by
dark energy. In this example, the Universe doubles in size every 1 Myr. Once
again, the expansion rate is set to be constant over 1 Myr intervals to enable easy
calculation of the slope between epochs separated by integer multiples of 1 Myr
Separation (Mpc)

Time (Myr)

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