Λ\LambdaCDM Cosmology for Astronomers

Apr 26, 2018
15 pages
Published in:
  • Publ.Astron.Soc.Pac. 130 (2018) 989, 073001
  • Published: Jun 12, 2018
e-Print:

Citations per year

201920212023202520250246810
Abstract: (IOP)
The homogeneous, isotropic, and flat ΛCDM universe favored by observations of the cosmic microwave background can be described using only Euclidean geometry, locally correct Newtonian mechanics, and the basic postulates of special and general relativity. We present simple derivations of the most useful equations connecting astronomical observables (redshift, flux density, angular diameter, brightness, local space density, ...) with the corresponding intrinsic properties of distant sources (lookback time, distance, spectral luminosity, linear size, specific intensity, source counts, ...). We also present an analytic equation for lookback time that is accurate within 0.1% for all redshifts z. The exact equation for comoving distance is an elliptic integral that must be evaluated numerically, but we found a simple approximation with errors <0.2% for all redshifts up to z ≈ 50.
Note:
  • 15 pages, 19 figures To be published in PASP
  • cosmology: theory–distance scale
  • galaxies: distances and redshifts
  • galaxies: evolution