Mystery of the Cosmological Constant

TL;DR

This paper discusses the discovery of the universe's accelerating expansion, the role of Type Ia supernovae in this finding, and explores the implications of the cosmological constant in modern cosmology.

Contribution

It provides an elementary exposition of general relativity, supernovae as standard candles, and the cosmological constant problem, highlighting their significance in understanding cosmic acceleration.

Findings

Universe's expansion is accelerating.

Type Ia supernovae serve as standard candles.

Implications of the cosmological constant in cosmology.

Abstract

The 2011 Nobel prize in physics has been awarded to S. Perlmutter, A. Riess and B. Schmidt for their path breaking discovery that the rate of expansion of the universe is increasing with time. The trio used Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) as standard candles to estimate their luminosity-distances. To appreciate some of the far reaching implications of their work, I have provided an elementary exposition of general theory of relativity, accelerated expansion of the universe, luminosity-distance, SNe Ia and the cosmological constant problem.