Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Deceleration parameter

The deceleration parameter, denoted q, is a dimensionless quantity in cosmology that measures the rate at which the expansion of the universe is slowing down or speeding up, defined mathematically as q = -\frac{\ddot{a} a}{\dot{a}^2}, where a(t) is the scale factor describing the relative size of the universe as a function of cosmic time t. This parameter arises from the second-order Taylor expansion of the scale factor around the present epoch, a(t) = a(t_0) \left[ 1 + H_0 (t - t_0) - \frac{q_0}{2} H_0^2 (t - t_0)^2 + \cdots \right], where H_0 is the present-day Hubble parameter and q_0 is the current value of q. A positive q indicates deceleration (as expected from gravitational attraction in matter-dominated models), while a negative q signifies acceleration, as observed in the modern universe due to dark energy. Introduced in the 1970s by astronomer as one of two fundamental cosmological observables alongside the Hubble parameter H_0—with framed as the quest to measure these "two numbers"—the deceleration parameter originally encapsulated expectations of a decelerating expansion driven by gravity. In the Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) framework of , q connects directly to the energy content of the via the , expressed for a flat with , radiation, and components as q_0 = \frac{1}{2} \Omega_{m,0} - \Omega_{\Lambda,0} + \Omega_{r,0}, where \Omega_{m,0}, \Omega_{\Lambda,0}, and \Omega_{r,0} are the present-day density parameters for , the (or ), and radiation, respectively. For a single-component flat , it simplifies to q = \frac{1}{2} (1 + 3w), with w as the equation-of-state parameter (e.g., w = 0 for , w = -1 for a ). The discovery of cosmic acceleration in 1998, through observations of Type Ia supernovae, revolutionized the field by revealing q_0 < 0, implying that dark energy dominates the universe's expansion today and challenging the "deceleration" nomenclature. Measurements as of 2024, constrained by datasets such as cosmic microwave background observations, baryon acoustic oscillations, and Hubble diagrams, yield q_0 \approx -0.5 to -0.6, consistent with a flat \LambdaCDM model where dark energy contributes about 70% of the energy density. Beyond its diagnostic role, q informs model-independent approaches like cosmography, where higher-order parameters (e.g., jerk j = 1 in \LambdaCDM) test deviations from general relativity, and it influences calculations of luminosity distances, d_L(z) \approx \frac{z}{H_0} \left[ 1 + \frac{1}{2} (1 - q_0) z + \cdots \right], essential for probing dark energy evolution. Despite its name, the parameter remains central to understanding the universe's kinematic history, from early deceleration in the radiation- and matter-dominated eras to late-time acceleration.

Definition and Basics

Conceptual Overview

The deceleration parameter, denoted as q, is a dimensionless quantity in cosmology that characterizes the dynamics of the universe's expansion by indicating whether it is decelerating or accelerating at a given epoch. Specifically, a positive value (q > 0) signifies that the expansion is slowing down due to the dominant influence of attractive gravitational forces from and , while a negative value (q < 0) implies an accelerating expansion driven by repulsive effects, such as those attributed to dark energy. This parameter provides a simple yet powerful metric for assessing the evolving balance of cosmic components that govern the large-scale structure and fate of the universe. At its core, q captures the second time derivative of the cosmic scale factor, which describes the acceleration or change in the expansion rate over time, beyond the mere linear stretching captured by the . In the framework of the , which models a homogeneous and isotropic universe, q thus reveals how the acceleration (or deceleration) of spatial distances between galaxies changes as the cosmos evolves. To intuit its significance, consider an analogy to a vehicle's motion on a cosmic scale: just as a car decelerating on a flat road (positive q) loses speed due to friction or braking, the early universe's expansion slowed under the pull of gravity, whereas an accelerating car downhill (negative q) mirrors the current epoch where expansion hastens, propelling galaxies apart faster over time. In practice, q is not fixed but varies as a function of cosmic time or redshift z, reflecting transitions in the universe's composition—such as from matter-dominated deceleration in the past to dark energy-driven acceleration today—allowing cosmologists to trace the overall expansion history through q(z).

Mathematical Definition

The deceleration parameter q(t) provides a kinematic measure of the second-order behavior of the cosmic expansion and is defined as q(t) = -\frac{\ddot{a} a}{\dot{a}^2} = -\frac{\ddot{a}/a}{(\dot{a}/a)^2}, where a(t) is the scale factor describing the expansion of the universe, dots denote derivatives with respect to cosmic time t, \dot{a} = da/dt, and \ddot{a} = d^2a/dt^2. This expression quantifies the ratio of the proper acceleration \ddot{a} to the square of the expansion rate, normalized by the scale factor. The present-day value, denoted q_0, corresponds to q(t) evaluated at the current cosmic time t_0, which aligns with redshift z = 0 (where z = 1/a - 1 and a(t_0) = 1 by convention). As a dimensionless quantity, q has no units, since the Hubble parameter H(t) = \dot{a}/a sets the intrinsic timescale for expansion, rendering the parameter scale-invariant. This parameter emerges naturally in the Taylor series expansion of the around the present epoch: a(t) \approx a_0 \left[ 1 + H_0 (t - t_0) - \frac{q_0}{2} H_0^2 (t - t_0)^2 + \cdots \right], where H_0 = H(t_0) is the present and higher-order terms involve additional cosmographic parameters like the jerk. The linear term describes uniform Hubble flow, while the quadratic term, governed by q_0, encodes the curvature of the expansion history—positive q_0 implies deceleration (slowing expansion), and negative q_0 implies acceleration.

Historical Development

Early Concepts

The early concepts of the deceleration parameter arose within the framework of applied to cosmology in the 1920s, as theorists grappled with the implications of an expanding universe. In 1922, derived solutions to for a homogeneous, isotropic universe filled with matter, demonstrating that the expansion would naturally decelerate due to gravitational attraction, with the rate of slowdown characterized by what would later be formalized as q ≈ 1/2 in a matter-dominated scenario. independently developed a similar dynamic model in 1927, proposing an expanding universe from a dense initial state where gravity causes the expansion to slow over time, again implying q ≈ 1/2 under matter dominance. Before these expanding models, Albert Einstein's 1917 static universe incorporated a cosmological constant to balance gravitational collapse, maintaining a constant scale factor with no expansion or contraction, rendering the deceleration parameter undefined since the Hubble parameter H = 0. This equilibrium was disrupted by Edwin Hubble's 1929 observations of redshift-distance relations among galaxies, confirming an expanding universe and leading to the abandonment of the static model. From the 1930s through the 1960s, competing theories highlighted divergent views on deceleration. The steady-state theory, introduced by and in 1948 and refined by , envisioned a universe of constant average density maintained by ongoing matter creation, resulting in exponential expansion akin to de Sitter space and a predicted deceleration parameter q = -1, implying no slowdown but rather coasting expansion. In opposition, evolving Big Bang models rooted in assumed gravitational deceleration, with q > 0: specifically q = 1/2 for matter-dominated phases and q = 1 for radiation-dominated early epochs. In 1970, astronomer described as the search for two fundamental numbers: the present-day Hubble parameter H_0 and the deceleration parameter q_0, emphasizing the need for precise measurements of these quantities to test cosmological models. Prior to the late 1990s, the dominant cosmological paradigm held that the universe's expansion decelerates indefinitely under gravity's influence, with q > 0 throughout its history in standard matter- and radiation-filled models, shaping expectations for an eventual recollapse or asymptotic slowdown.

Discovery of Acceleration

In 1998, two independent teams announced groundbreaking observations using Type Ia supernovae as standard candles to measure cosmic distances, revealing that the 's expansion is accelerating rather than decelerating as previously assumed. The High-Z Supernova Search Team, led by , analyzed 16 Type Ia supernovae at redshifts between 0.16 and 0.62, finding that these distant events appeared fainter than expected in a decelerating universe, indicating a negative deceleration parameter q_0 < 0 and evidence for a positive cosmological constant. Simultaneously, the Supernova Cosmology Project, led by Saul Perlmutter, reported similar results from 42 high-redshift supernovae, confirming accelerated expansion with high statistical significance and favoring a flat universe dominated by a cosmological constant. These findings were robustly confirmed in subsequent years, notably by Riess et al. in 2004, who used Hubble Space Telescope observations of Type Ia supernovae at redshifts greater than 1 to delineate the transition from deceleration to acceleration, providing conclusive evidence against systematic errors in the earlier data. Other teams, including the Supernova Legacy Survey, corroborated these results through larger samples, solidifying the paradigm shift in cosmology. The profound impact of these discoveries was recognized with the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to Perlmutter, Brian Schmidt (of the High-Z team), and Riess for providing observational evidence of the accelerating universe. The observations indicated a transition redshift z_t \approx 0.6-0.7, where the deceleration parameter q(z) shifts from positive (deceleration during matter domination) to negative (acceleration driven by dark energy), marking the end of the matter-dominated era approximately 5-6 billion years ago. In response to this empirical breakthrough, theorists revived Einstein's cosmological constant \Lambda as the simplest explanation for the negative q, consistent with the supernova data favoring \Omega_\Lambda \approx 0.7. Alternatives, such as quintessence—a dynamic scalar field with evolving energy density—were also proposed to account for the acceleration without a constant \Lambda, offering potential resolutions to the coincidence problem of dark energy's late-time dominance.

Formulation in Cosmology

Relation to Friedmann Equations

The second Friedmann equation, derived from the Einstein field equations applied to a homogeneous and isotropic universe, governs the acceleration of the cosmic scale factor a(t) and is expressed as \frac{\ddot{a}}{a} = -\frac{4\pi G}{3} \sum_i \left( \rho_i + \frac{3 p_i}{c^2} \right), where G is the gravitational constant, c is the speed of light, \rho_i is the energy density of the i-th component, and p_i is its associated pressure. This equation highlights how the universe's expansion dynamics depend on the total energy content, with positive pressure contributing to deceleration and negative pressure potentially driving acceleration. The deceleration parameter q has a kinematic interpretation through its definition q = -\frac{\ddot{a} a}{\dot{a}^2} = -\frac{\ddot{a}}{a H^2}, where H = \dot{a}/a is the Hubble parameter, describing the second-order behavior of the scale factor without direct reference to physical contents. Dynamically, this connects to the Friedmann framework by substituting the acceleration equation, yielding q = \frac{4\pi G}{3 H^2} \sum_i \left( \rho_i + \frac{3 p_i}{c^2} \right). This form embeds q within the universe's matter-energy budget, revealing how gravitational attraction from density and pressure influences expansion. For fluids characterized by equation-of-state parameters w_i = p_i / (\rho_i c^2), the expression simplifies to q = \frac{4\pi G}{3 H^2} \sum_i \rho_i (1 + 3 w_i). In a flat universe, where the first Friedmann equation relates H^2 to the critical density \rho_{\rm crit} = 3 H^2 / (8 \pi G) such that \sum_i \Omega_i = 1 with \Omega_i = \rho_i / \rho_{\rm crit}, it further reduces to q = \frac{1}{2} \sum_i \Omega_i (1 + 3 w_i). This demonstrates q > 0 for matter (w = 0, yielding q = \Omega_m / 2 > 0) or (w = 1/3, yielding q = \Omega_r > 0), implying deceleration, while (w = -1) contributes negatively with $1 + 3 w = -2, potentially driving q < 0 and acceleration when dominant.

Expression in Terms of Density Parameters

In the standard flat , the present-day deceleration parameter is expressed as q_0 = \frac{1}{2} \Omega_{m0} - \Omega_{\Lambda 0}, where \Omega_{m0} denotes the present-day matter density parameter (including both baryonic and dark matter) and \Omega_{\Lambda 0} represents the present-day dark energy density parameter contributed by the , satisfying the flatness condition \Omega_{m0} + \Omega_{\Lambda 0} = 1. More generally, the deceleration parameter as a function of redshift z takes the form q(z) = \frac{1}{2} \Omega_m(z) + \frac{1 + 3 w_{\rm de}}{2} \Omega_{\rm de}(z), where \Omega_m(z) and \Omega_{\rm de}(z) are the redshift-dependent density parameters for matter and dark energy, respectively, and w_{\rm de} is the equation-of-state parameter for dark energy (neglecting the negligible radiation contribution at low z); curvature does not contribute to this expression, as it effectively has w_k = -1/3 yielding zero contribution, though the standard case assumes w_{\rm de} = -1 and a flat universe (\Omega_k = 0). This expression implies that q(z) was positive in the early universe during matter domination, where \Omega_m(z) \approx 1 and thus q(z) \approx \frac{1}{2}, indicating deceleration. In the present epoch, with \Omega_{\Lambda 0} \approx 0.7, the value shifts to q_0 \approx -0.55, signifying acceleration dominated by dark energy. These relations stem from the Friedmann equations describing the universe's expansion dynamics. In extensions beyond the flat ΛCDM paradigm, such as non-flat geometries or dark energy models with w_{\rm de} \neq -1, the formula incorporates the additional curvature (which does not affect q) or modifies the dark energy contribution, though the standard case provides the foundational benchmark for interpretations.

Observational Measurements

Methods of Determination

One of the primary methods for determining the deceleration parameter q(z) involves observations of Type Ia supernovae as standard candles. These events provide luminosity distances d_L(z) as a function of redshift z, which can be used to reconstruct the Hubble parameter H(z) and subsequently fit for q(z) through kinematic relations derived from the expansion history. This approach was pioneered by the , whose measurements of distant supernovae enabled the first constraints on cosmic deceleration. Subsequent analyses, such as those using the , refine q(z) by combining supernova data with model fits to the distance-redshift relation. Baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) serve as a standard ruler, imprinted in the cosmic microwave background and observable in the clustering of galaxies at various redshifts. By measuring the angular scale of BAO features in large-scale structure surveys like the (SDSS) and the (DESI), researchers constrain the comoving distance D_V(z) and H(z), allowing inference of q(z) via the expansion history without assuming a specific dark energy model. The initial detection of BAO by SDSS provided early constraints on deceleration, while recent DESI results extend these measurements to higher redshifts, tightening bounds on q_0. The cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropies, observed by satellites like , offer integrated constraints on the deceleration parameter through the present-day matter density \Omega_m and dark energy density \Omega_\Lambda, via the relation q_0 = \frac{1}{2} \Omega_m - \Omega_\Lambda. 's high-precision temperature and polarization maps determine these densities from the positions of acoustic peaks, indirectly yielding q_0 in the context of flat \LambdaCDM cosmology. The 2018 release provided robust limits on \Omega_m \approx 0.315, implying q_0 \approx -0.53. Other probes contribute indirect estimates of the deceleration parameter. Hubble constant H_0 measurements using Cepheid variables, calibrated via the cosmic distance ladder and refined with James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observations, help constrain q_0 when combined with low-redshift expansion data, as q_0 influences the local Hubble diagram. Gravitational lensing surveys, such as those from the Dark Energy Survey (DES), measure weak lensing shear to probe matter clustering and \Omega_m, providing complementary bounds on deceleration. Galaxy cluster counts, observed in X-ray or Sunyaev-Zel'dovich surveys like the South Pole Telescope (SPT), constrain \Omega_m through abundance evolution, indirectly informing q(z) across cosmic history. Model-independent approaches, such as cosmography, expand the luminosity distance d_L(z) in a Taylor series around z=0: d_L(z) = \frac{c z}{H_0} \left[ 1 + \frac{1}{2} (1 - q_0) z - \frac{1}{6} (1 - q_0 - 3 q_0^2 + j_0) z^2 + \cdots \right], where c is the speed of light, H_0 is the present , and j_0 is the jerk parameter. Fitting this series to supernova or BAO data extracts q_0 directly without presupposing a cosmological model like \LambdaCDM, reducing bias from parametric assumptions. This method has been applied to datasets like Union2.1 to yield unbiased kinematic parameters.

Historical and Current Values

Prior to 1998, the deceleration parameter was generally assumed to be positive, with dynamical estimates derived from the virial theorem applied to galaxy clusters yielding q_0 ≈ 0.5, indicative of a decelerating, matter-dominated universe. This value aligned with expectations from the , where the cosmic density parameter Ω_m ≈ 1 implied q_0 = 0.5. The discovery of cosmic acceleration in 1998, confirmed by subsequent observations, shifted estimates to negative values. Between 1998 and 2010, Type Ia supernova data combined with cosmic microwave background (CMB) measurements indicated q_0 ≈ -0.5 to -0.6. For instance, high-redshift supernova observations reported q_0 = -0.53 ± 0.12, providing evidence for a transition from past deceleration to current acceleration. The Planck 2013 CMB results refined this to q_0 ≈ -0.53, derived from Ω_m = 0.315 ± 0.018 in the flat ΛCDM model, where q_0 = \frac{3}{2} \Omega_m - 1. From the 2010s to 2023, measurements converged on q_0 ≈ -0.53 ± 0.02, reinforcing acceleration within . Planck 2018 data, with Ω_m = 0.315 ± 0.007, yielded a similar value, while early baryon acoustic oscillation results from 2023 upheld this consistency. Recent 2024–2025 analyses reveal emerging tensions. Standard predictions give q_0 ≈ -0.53, but age-bias corrections to supernova progenitor ages suggest q_0 ≈ +0.178 ± 0.061, implying a possible shift to current deceleration—though this interpretation remains controversial and debated within the community. Preliminary data analyses as of mid-2025 hint at evolving dark energy, with q(z) showing potential deviations from constant-Λ behavior at low redshifts. These discrepancies are compounded by the Hubble tension, where local H_0 measurements exceed CMB-inferred values by ~5–10%, indirectly affecting q_0 estimates through inconsistencies in density parameters.

Implications and Applications

In Standard Cosmological Models

In the standard , the present-day deceleration parameter is expressed as q_0 = \frac{1}{2} \Omega_{m0} - \Omega_{\Lambda 0}, where \Omega_{m0} and \Omega_{\Lambda 0} are the present-day density parameters for non-relativistic matter and the cosmological constant, respectively. With \Omega_{m0} \approx 0.31 and \Omega_{\Lambda 0} \approx 0.69 as determined from , this yields q_0 \approx -0.55. The model further predicts a transition from decelerated to accelerated expansion at redshift z_t \approx 0.67, the point where q(z_t) = 0. These predictions align well with supernova and , though the —discrepancies between local measurements of the (H_0 \approx 73 km s^{-1} Mpc^{-1}) and those inferred from early-universe physics (H_0 \approx 67 km s^{-1} Mpc^{-1})—places interpretive strain on the model's parameter fits. Alternative cosmological models modify the dark energy component and alter q_0 accordingly. In the wCDM model, featuring a constant equation-of-state parameter w_0 for dark energy, q_0 = \frac{1}{2} \Omega_{m0} + \frac{1 + 3 w_0}{2} (1 - \Omega_{m0}) in a flat universe, making q_0 highly sensitive to deviations of w_0 from -1. For phantom dark energy with w < -1, the term \frac{1 + 3 w}{2} becomes more negative than -1, resulting in q_0 < -0.55; sufficiently strong phantom behavior (w \lesssim -1.4) can drive q_0 < -1, implying super-acceleration where the expansion rate increases faster than linearly. The steady-state model, predicting a constant q = -1 due to continuous matter creation maintaining uniform density, has been definitively ruled out by the discovery of the cosmic microwave background radiation and the observed redshift evolution of quasars and galaxies. The redshift evolution q(z) provides a key discriminator for model validation, as ΛCDM forecasts a smooth transition from q(z) > 0 at high z (matter-dominated deceleration) to q(z) < 0 at low z (dark energy domination). Modified gravity theories, such as f(R) models that alter the with higher-order curvature terms, predict distinct q(z) profiles—often with delayed or oscillatory transitions—that deviate from ΛCDM's behavior and can be tested against supernova distance moduli and growth rate data. Relaxing the flatness assumption introduces a curvature density parameter \Omega_{k0}, modifying the relation \Omega_{\Lambda 0} = 1 - \Omega_{m0} - \Omega_{k0} and thus affecting q_0 \approx -0.55 + \Omega_{k0} (or approximately -\Omega_{k0}/2 for small deviations in certain parameter regimes). Current constraints from Planck data indicate |\Omega_{k0}| \lesssim 0.01, supporting near-flatness with minimal impact on q_0.

Relation to Dark Energy and Future Evolution

The deceleration parameter q_0 at the present epoch serves as a key indicator of the influence of on cosmic expansion, where a negative value implies that the repulsive effects of dark energy dominate over the attractive pull of matter, necessitating a component with an equation-of-state parameter w \approx -1 to drive acceleration. This relation arises because dark energy's negative pressure counteracts gravitational deceleration, and measurements of q_0 \approx -0.5 align with models where w is close to -1, as in the cosmological constant \Lambda. Deviations from w = -1 would alter q_0; for instance, if w > -1, the acceleration weakens, potentially making q_0 less negative, while w < -1 enhances it, providing a probe for distinguishing \Lambda from dynamical dark energy. In models of evolving dark energy, such as , the deceleration parameter q(z) varies with redshift z, reflecting changes in the dark energy density and equation of state over cosmic time. Quintessence fields, which behave like slowly rolling scalar fields, can lead to w(z) evolving from values greater than -1 in the past to near -1 today, influencing q(z) to transition from positive (deceleration) to negative (acceleration) at low z. Recent analyses from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), including the DR2 data release in late 2025, strengthen hints at such dynamics, with studies suggesting that dark energy may be evolving in a way that could increase w toward zero in the future, potentially driving q(z) > 0 in the future and signaling a slowdown in acceleration ahead. These DESI-inspired models, including thawing , predict that if w continues to rise, the might re-enter a decelerating , contrasting with the constant w = -1 of \LambdaCDM. The sign and evolution of q_0 also inform projections for the universe's long-term fate under different scenarios. If q_0 remains negative with w = -1, the universe will undergo eternal , culminating in a "heat death" where expansion dilutes and to an asymptotically cold, dilute state. Conversely, for phantom with w < -1, persistent negative q_0 could lead to a "Big Rip," where accelerating expansion tears apart galaxies, stars, and eventually atoms in finite time, estimated at around 22 billion years from now in some models. However, in quintessence or other dynamical models where w increases over time, a transition back to q > 0 is possible, potentially halting and allowing deceleration to resume, averting both extreme fates. Upcoming observational efforts will refine measurements of q(z) and constrain dark energy properties to distinguish these scenarios. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Euclid, and Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope are poised to provide high-precision data on galaxy clustering, weak lensing, and supernovae, enabling tighter bounds on w(z) and tests of evolving dark energy models. For example, Euclid's spectroscopic surveys aim to map baryon acoustic oscillations out to z \approx 2, directly probing deviations in q(z) from \LambdaCDM predictions, while Roman's supernova observations will complement these to achieve percent-level precision on dark energy parameters. These missions, operational through the late 2020s and beyond, are expected to resolve whether q_0 hints at dynamical evolution or supports a static cosmological constant.

References

  1. [1]
    [PDF] sections 7.1-7.4 of Carroll. Problem 1. The deceleration
    Apr 26, 2019 · The deceleration parameter in a Robertson-Walker cosmology is defined by q = - aä. ˙a2 . As the name suggests, this is a (dimensionless) ...
  2. [2]
    Deceleration Parameter - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
    The deceleration parameter, q0, is defined as -R̈(t0)/H0^2 R(t0), where R(t) is the cosmic scale factor and t0 is the present age of the universe, indicating ...
  3. [3]
    Category:Deceleration Parameter - Universe in Problems
    Mar 2, 2015 · When the Hubble parameter is constant, the deceleration parameter $q$ is also constant and equal to $-1$, as in the de Sitter model. All models ...
  4. [4]
    [PDF] Observational Parameters Classical cosmology reduces the ...
    q0 < 0, meaning that the expansion of the universe is accelerating, so the term “deceleration parameter” is incorrect! This has caused a revolution in cosmology ...Missing: definition | Show results with:definition
  5. [5]
    A parametric reconstruction of the deceleration parameter
    Jul 25, 2017 · It has been found that q(z) shows exactly the behavior which is desired, a deceleration for high z limit whereas an acceleration for the low z ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  6. [6]
    Cosmology In Terms Of The Deceleration Parameter. Part I - arXiv
    Feb 3, 2015 · It is the deceleration parameter who dictates the expansion rate of the Hubble sphere and determines the dynamics of the observable galaxy number variation.
  7. [7]
    from einstein to accelerated expansion
    M/2. In the 1920's, Friedmann and Lemaître independently showed that cosmological solutions with matter and Lambda generally involved expansion or ...
  8. [8]
    The 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics - Press release - NobelPrize.org
    Oct 4, 2011 · They have studied several dozen exploding stars, called supernovae, and discovered that the Universe is expanding at an ever-accelerating rate.
  9. [9]
  10. [10]
    Measurements of Ω and Λ from 42 High-Redshift Supernovae
    We report measurements of the mass density, ΩM, and cosmological-constant energy density, ΩΛ, of the universe based on the analysis of 42 type Ia supernovae ...Missing: acceleration | Show results with:acceleration
  11. [11]
  12. [12]
    [PDF] Constraining the cosmological parameters and transition redshift ...
    The transition redshift at which the universe changed from the deceleration to acceleration phase is. zT = 0.69+0.11. −0.12 at the 1σ confidence level. We ...
  13. [13]
    [1807.06209] Planck 2018 results. VI. Cosmological parameters - arXiv
    Jul 17, 2018 · Abstract:We present cosmological parameter results from the final full-mission Planck measurements of the CMB anisotropies.
  14. [14]
    [astro-ph/9805200] The High-Z Supernova Search - arXiv
    May 15, 1998 · The High-Z Supernova Search: Measuring Cosmic Deceleration and Global Cur vature of the Universe Using Type Ia Supernovae. Authors:Brian P.Missing: seminal parameter
  15. [15]
    DESI 2024 VI: cosmological constraints from the measurements of ...
    Feb 11, 2025 · We present cosmological results from the measurement of baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) in galaxy, quasar and Lyman-α forest tracers from ...
  16. [16]
    Cosmology with Galaxy Cluster Weak Lensing: Statistical Limits and ...
    Mar 23, 2021 · Galaxy Cluster Number Counts and Gravitational Lensing. 2.1. Cluster Number Counts. When constructing a cluster sample, we set a threshold on ...Missing: deceleration | Show results with:deceleration
  17. [17]
  18. [18]
    Cosmographic Parameters in Model-independent Approaches
    Dec 29, 2021 · The first model-independent approach is built from a Taylor series of the Hubble parameter. Although this approach is widely used in the ...
  19. [19]
    Determinations of the Deceleration Parameter Q/o
    They fall into three main groups. The first group determines q0 by evaluating the mean mass density in the Universe; groups 2 and 3 do so directly from the ...
  20. [20]
    The cosmological deceleration parameter estimated from ... - Nature
    Jan 14, 1993 · The cosmological deceleration parameter ... Hoyle, F. in Paris Symp. Radio Astronomy, IAU Symp. No 9 (ed. Bracewell. R.) 529–532 (1959). Sandage, ...
  21. [21]
    Bulk viscous matter in $f(T)$ gravity: A path to cosmic acceleration
    Jan 6, 2025 · The analysis reveals a transition in the deceleration parameter, indicating a shift from deceleration to acceleration of the universe's ...
  22. [22]
  23. [23]
    Transition Redshift: New Kinematic Constraints from Supernovae
    May 9, 2008 · The transition redshift (deceleration/acceleration) is discussed by expanding the deceleration parameter to first order around its present value.
  24. [24]
    The ΛCDM-NG Cosmological Model: A Possible Resolution of the ...
    A precision measurement of the deceleration parameter, to determine whether or not it has the value q0 = (1/2)Ωm +Ωr − ΩΛ predicted by the ΛCDM model, could ...Missing: q0 | Show results with:q0
  25. [25]
    a reconstruction of the effective equation of state - Oxford Academic
    Plots of effective equation of state parameter and the deceleration parameter as functions of redshift z for weff(z) model (upper panels) and wCDM model (lower ...
  26. [26]
    Errors in the Steady State and Quasi-SS Models
    Feb 23, 2015 · These parameters thus give a deceleration parameter qo = 1.623/2+0.358-2*0.271 = 0.63. Given that the deceleration parameter is close to the ...
  27. [27]
    Modified gravity/dynamical dark energy vs $$\Lambda $$ CDM
    Mar 14, 2025 · In this paper, a generalisation of exponential F(R) gravity is considered and compared with CDM model by using the latest observational data.
  28. [28]
    Dark Energy and the Accelerating Universe - J.A. Frieman et al.
    The deceleration parameter, q(z), is defined as ... The expansion rate and deceleration rate today appear in the first two terms in the Taylor expansion of the ...
  29. [29]
    Reconstruction of the deceleration parameter and the equation of ...
    Feb 23, 2007 · The baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) measurement from SDSS and the shift parameter determined from WMAP3 data combined with the new 182 gold SN ...
  30. [30]
    Thermodynamic constraints and observational validation of the ...
    The deceleration parameter characterizes the universe's expansion: if q > 0 , the universe is decelerating, while if q < 0 , the universe is accelerating. This ...
  31. [31]
    New DESI Results Strengthen Hints That Dark Energy May Evolve
    Mar 19, 2025 · Researchers see hints that dark energy, widely thought to be a “cosmological constant,” might be evolving over time in unexpected ways.Missing: q( z)
  32. [32]
    Thawing quintessence and transient cosmic acceleration in light of ...
    Oct 17, 2025 · The same applies to the deceleration parameter, given by Eq. (3) , with the additional dependence on the matter density parameter Ω m .
  33. [33]
    Rapidly descending dark energy and the end of cosmic expansion
    This paper presents a simple mechanism by which a dynamical form of dark energy (known as quintessence) could cause the acceleration to come to end.
  34. [34]
    NASA's Roman and ESA's Euclid Will Team Up To Investigate Dark ...
    Jun 27, 2023 · Euclid will use weak lensing and galaxy clustering methods to probe dark energy; Roman will use those plus type Ia supernovae. Euclid's proposed ...Missing: parameter | Show results with:parameter<|control11|><|separator|>
  35. [35]
    Euclid - Mapping the Geometry of the Dark Universe Mission - eoPortal
    Jun 1, 2025 · ... Dark Energy (DE). Euclid aims at measuring the equation of state parameter w(z), relating the DE 'fluid' pressure with its density, to an ...
  36. [36]
    Cosmology with the Roman Space Telescope – multiprobe strategies
    Jul 1, 2021 · We find that the HLS reference survey alone can achieve a standard dark energy FoM of >300 when including all probes.Missing: deceleration | Show results with:deceleration