WMAP data and the curvature of space

TL;DR

This paper examines WMAP data suggesting a positively curved universe and explores its implications for inflationary models, finding that certain inflation scenarios remain compatible with a closed universe.

Contribution

It analyzes the consequences of WMAP data indicating positive curvature for the universe's inflationary history and background dynamics.

Findings

WMAP data suggests a positively curved universe.

A limit on the number of inflationary e-foldings is derived.

Some inflation models remain consistent with a closed universe.

Abstract

Inter alia, the high precision WMAP data on Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation marginally indicate that the universe has positively curved (and hence spherical) spatial sections. In this paper, we take this data seriously and consider some of the consequences for the background dynamics. In particular, we show that this implies a limit to the number of e-foldings that could have taken place in the inflationary epoch; however this limit is consistent with some inflationary models that solve all the usual cosmological problems and are consistent with standard structure formation theory.