Definitive Test of the R_h=ct Universe Using Redshift Drift

Abstract

The redshift drift of objects moving in the Hubble flow has been proposed as a powerful model-independent probe of the underlying cosmology. A measurement of the first and second order redshift derivatives appears to be well within the reach of upcoming surveys using ELT-HIRES and the SKA Phase 2 array. Here we show that an unambiguous prediction of the R_h=ct cosmology is zero drift at all redshifts, contrasting sharply with all other models in which the expansion rate is variable. For example, multi-year monitoring of sources at redshift z=5 with the ELT-HIRES is expected to show a velocity shift Delta v = -15 cm/s/yr due to the redshift drift in Planck LCDM, while Delta v=0 cm/s/yr in R_h=ct. With an anticipated ELT-HIRES measurement error of +/-5 cm/s/yr after 5 years, these upcoming redshift drift measurements might therefore be able to differentiate between R_h=ct and Planck LCDM at ~3 sigma, assuming that any possible source evolution is well understood. Such a result would provide the strongest evidence yet in favour of the R_h=ct cosmology. With a 20-year baseline, these observations could favor one of these models over the other at better than 5 sigma.

7 pages, 1 figure. Accepted for publication in MNRAS Letters

References in corpus (8)

• Measuring the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation scale using the SDSS and 2dFGRS
• Cosmic dynamics in the era of Extremely Large Telescopes
• Exploring the Dark Energy Redshift Desert with the Sandage-Loeb Test
• Physical Basis for the Symmetries in the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker Metric
• The Zero Active Mass Condition in Friedmann-Robertson-Walker Cosmologies
• Real-time cosmography with redshift derivatives
• Galaxy surveys, inhomogeneous reionization, and dark energy
• Supermassive Black Holes in the Early Universe

Cited by in corpus (17)

• Another look at redshift drift and the backreaction conjecture
• Constraining minimally extended varying speed of light by cosmological chronometers
• Toward a direct measurement of the cosmic acceleration: roadmap and forecast on FAST
• Redshift drift of gravitational lensing
• The Maximum Angular-Diameter Distance in Cosmology
• Toward a direct measurement of the cosmic acceleration: the first preparation with FAST
• Forecast and analysis of the cosmological redshift drift
• A Resolution of the Monopole Problem in the R_h=ct Universe
• A Measurement of the Cosmic Expansion Within our Lifetime
• Testing the Equivalence Principle with Strong Lensing Time Delay Variations
• Model Selection with Baryonic Acoustic Oscillations in the Lyman-alpha Forest
• What if the universe expands linearly? A local general relativity to solve the "zero active mass" problem
• Tantalizing New Physics from the Cosmic Purview
• A Cosmological basis for E=mc^2
• A Comparative Test of the LCDM and R_h=ct Cosmologies Based on Upcoming Redshift Drift Measurements
• When can we compute analytically lookback time, age of the universe, and luminosity distance?
• Safely simplifying redshift drift computations in inhomogeneous cosmologies: Insights from LTB Swiss-cheese models