Supernova tests of the timescape cosmology

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the timescape cosmology as an alternative to dark energy by analyzing supernova data, addressing previous systematic issues, and comparing model fits using various datasets and light curve fitters.

Contribution

It demonstrates that systematic issues in supernova data analysis affect the model comparison results, highlighting the importance of data selection and fitting methods.

Findings

Data reduced with SALT/SALT-II favors Lambda CDM.

Data reduced with MLCS2k2 favors the timescape model.

Excluding data below z=0.033 affects model preference.

Abstract

The timescape cosmology has been proposed as a viable alternative to homogeneous cosmologies with dark energy. It realises cosmic acceleration as an apparent effect that arises in calibrating average cosmological parameters in the presence of spatial curvature and gravitational energy gradients that grow large with the growth of inhomogeneities at late epochs. Recently Kwan, Francis and Lewis [arXiv:0902.4249] have claimed that the timescape model provides a relatively poor fit to the Union and Constitution supernovae compilations, as compared to the standard Lambda CDM model. We show this conclusion is a result of systematic issues in supernova light curve fitting, and of failing to exclude data below the scale of statistical homogeneity, z < 0.033. Using all currently available supernova datasets (Gold07, Union, Constitution, MLCS17, MLCS31, SDSS-II, CSP, Union2), and making cuts at the statistical homogeneity scale, we show that data reduced by the SALT/SALT-II fitters provides Bayesian evidence that favours the spatially flat Lambda CDM model over the timescape model, whereas data reduced with MLCS2k2 fitters gives Bayesian evidence which favours the timescape model over the Lambda CDM model. We discuss the questions of extinction and reddening by dust, and of intrinsic colour variations in supernovae which do not correlate with the decay time, and the likely impact these systematics would have in a scenario consistent with the timescape model.