Supernovae anisotropy power spectrum

TL;DR

This study analyzes the anisotropy in Type Ia supernovae data using power spectrum methods, identifying a dipolar anisotropy mainly due to distribution effects and predicting future survey capabilities.

Contribution

It applies power spectrum analysis to current and simulated SNe Ia data, revealing anisotropy features and forecasting detection prospects for upcoming surveys.

Findings

Detected a dipolar anisotropy with less than 2σ tension.

Found a 4σ tension at multipole ℓ=4 between observed and isotropic spectra.

Predicted the amplitude of future anisotropy detectable by LSST.

Abstract

We contribute another anisotropy study to this field of research using Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). In this work, we utilise the power spectrum calculation method and apply it to both the current SNe Ia data and simulation. Using the Union2.1 data set at all redshifts, we compare the spectrum of the residuals of the observed distance moduli to that expected from an isotropic universe affected by the Union2.1 observational uncertainties at low multipoles. Through this comparison we find a dipolar anisotropy with tension of less that $2\sigma$ towards $l =171^\circ \pm 21^\circ$ and $b=-26^\circ \pm 28^\circ$ which is mainly induced by anisotropic spatial distribution of the SNe with $z > 0.2$ rather than being a cosmic effect. Furthermore, we find a tension of $\sim 4\sigma$ at $\ell=4$ between the two spectra. Our simulations are constructed with the characteristics of the upcoming surveys like the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), which shall bring us the largest SNe Ia collection to date. We make predictions for the amplitude of a possible dipolar anisotropy that would be detectable by future SNe Ia surveys.