Recent results in observational cosmology indicate that the universe is accelerating. Einstein's theory of relativity can accommodate this surprising result either through a cosmological constant or by assuming the existence of a new form of energy called "dark energy". It would have the same properties as those of the vacuum energy of particle physics and would dominate in our time!
An ambitious detection program is being implemented to confirm and understand this major advance. It is based on the combination of various cosmological probes which include observation of distant supernovae using ground or embedded telescopes, baryonic acoustic oscillation measurements, gravitational shear measurements or background measurements Diffuse cosmological. Other cosmological probes are also under study and could provide additional information. The combination of all this information should ultimately better constrain cosmological models and could profoundly change knowledge and our vision of the Universe.
At the CPPM, the Renoir group is mainly involved in the analysis of data from two types of probes: supernovae (SN) and baryonic acoustic oscillations (BAO).
The CPPM participated in the remote observation of remote supernovae with several hundred distant supernovae observed in the Supernovæ Legacy Survey at the CFHT telescope in Hawaii and in the Chilean VLT, which resulted in complete photometric analysis And spectroscopy. This stage allowed to give first precise indications on the cosmological parameters. The group is also involved in the search for near supernovae in the framework of SN factory to help control the properties of supernovae and thus control cosmological measurements. The group also participates in more astrophysical studies of radiative transfer models (photons / matter interaction) (ANR RTCCSN)
In parallel, RENOIR started an activity on baryonic acoustic oscillations by participating in the current survey in SDSS-III spectroscopy, which allows the mapping of the three-dimensional distribution of millions of galaxies providing a measure of the scale of these oscillations in the universe close. This project will constrain the BAO measurements in the intermediate distances which will bring strong constraints on the cosmological parameters. The CPPM participates in the implementation of a program of selection of emission line galaxies in collaboration with the LAM and studies the application of new cosmological tests with this data in close collaboration with the CPT.
In parallel, RENOIR started an activity on baryonic acoustic oscillations by participating in the current survey in SDSS-III spectroscopy, which allows the mapping of the three-dimensional distribution of millions of galaxies providing a measure of the scale of these oscillations in the universe close. This project will constrain the BAO measurements in the intermediate distances which will bring strong constraints on the cosmological parameters. The CPPM participates in the implementation of a program of selection of emission line galaxies in collaboration with the LAM and studies the application of new cosmological tests with this data in close collaboration with the CPT.