Observational constraints on finite scale factor singularities

TL;DR

This paper investigates observational constraints on finite scale factor singularities in cosmology, showing current data cannot distinguish these from standard dark energy models and identifying parameter bounds consistent with a dust-filled universe.

Contribution

It provides the first combined observational constraints on finite scale factor singularities using multiple cosmological data sets.

Findings

Finite scale factor singularities could occur in about 2 billion years.

Current observations cannot differentiate FSF models from standard dark energy.

An allowed parameter value corresponds to a dust-filled Einstein-de-Sitter universe.

Abstract

We discuss the combined constraints on a Finite Scale Factor Singularity (FSF) universe evolution scenario, which come from the shift parameter R, baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) A, and from the type Ia supernovae. We show that observations allow existence of such singularities in the 2x10^9 years, in future, at the 1{\sigma} CL, and that at the present moment of the cosmic evolution, one cannot differentiate between cosmological scenario which allow finite scale factor singularities and the standard dark energy models. We also show that there is an allowed value of m = 2/3 within 1{\sigma} CL, which corresponds to a dust-filled Einstein-de-Sitter universe limit of the early time evolution.