## Articulo

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## versión impresa ISSN 0185-1101

### Rev. mex. astron. astrofis vol.52 no.1 Ciudad de México abr. 2016

Testing the isotropy of the Hubble expansion

1Argelander Institute for Astronomy (AlfA), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.

2 Astrophysics, Astronomy & Mechanics Sector, Physics Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. (mplionis@inaoep.mx)

3IAASARS, National Observatory of Athens, Greece.

4INAOE, Puebla, México.

Abstract:

We have used the Union2.1 SNIa compilation to search for possible Hubble expansion anisotropies, dividing the sky in 9 solid angles containing roughly the same number of SNIa, as well as in two Galactic hemispheres. We identified only one sky region, containing 82 SNIa (~15% of total sample with z > 0.02), that indeed appears to share a Hubble expansion significantly different from the rest of the sample. However, this behaviour can be attributed to the joint "erratic" behaviour of only three SNIa and not to an anisotropic expansion. We also find that the northern and southern galactic hemispheres have different cosmological parameter solutions, but still not significant enough to support a Hubble expansion anisotropy. We conclude that even a few outliers can induce artificial indications of anisotropies, when the number of analysed SNIa is relatively small.

Key Words: cosmological parameters; methods: statistical; supernovae: general

Resumen:

Hemos utilizado la compilación Union2.1 de SNIa para buscar posibles anisotropías de la expansión de Hubble, dividiendo el cielo en 9 ángulos sólidos que contienen más o menos el mismo número de SNIa, así como en dos hemisíerios galácticos. Como resultado se identificó una región del cielo que contiene 82 SNIa (15% del total con z > 0.02) y que parece tener un comportamiento de expansión Hubble muy diíerente del resto de la muestra. Sin embargo, la causa es un electo sistemático relacionado mayormente con el comportamiento "errático" de sólo tres SNIa. Además, el análisis por separado de los dos hemisíerios galácticos da como resultado diferentes parámetros cosmológicos, pero todavía no es suficientemente significativo para afirmar la detección de una anisotropía de la expansión Hubble. Concluimos que si se incluyen en el análisis unas pocas SNIa con valores atípicos pueden obtenerse indicaciones artificiales de anisotropías.

1. INTRODUCTION

The isotropy and homogeneity of the Universe, the principle on which the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker cosmological models are based, is strongly supported by several observational data, such as the isotropy of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation (eg., Planck Collaboration XV 2015), the large scale distribution of radio sources (Wu, Lahav & Rees 1999) and the Hubble expansion as traced by supernovae of type la (SNIa) (eg., Riess et al. 1998, Perlmutter et al. 1999, Suzuki et al. 2012, Betoule et al. 2014).

The SNIa are excellent cosmological probes of the Hubble expansion up to high redshifts (z ≤ 1.7) due to the fact that they are considered as "standard candles" (Kowal 1968, Barbon et al. 1973, Riess et al. 1998, Perlmutter et al. 1999), once the so-called "stretch" and color corrections have been applied. These corrections are necessary because the SNIa peak brightness correlates with their color, the light-curve width and the mass of the host galaxy (see Kowalski et al. 2008, Amanullah et al. 2010, Suzuki et al. 2012, Betoule et al. 2014). Other high-z tracers of the Hubble expansion have been proposed, such as HII galaxies (Melnick, Terlevich & Terlevich 2000; Plionis et al. 2011) and GRB's (Ghirlanda et al. 2006). Such cosmic tracers can be used to test the Cosmological Principle by confirming or not the isotropy of the Hubble expansion. Several recent studies have focused on this subject, among others those of Kolatt & Lahav (2001), Bonvin, Durrer & Kunz (2006), Schwarz & Weinhorst (2007), Blomqvist, Moertsell & Nobili (2008), Gupta, & Saini (2010), Cooke & Lynden-Bell (2010), Antoniou & Perivolaropoulos (2010), Mariano & Perivolaropoulos (2012), Kalus et al. (2013), Yang, Wang & Chu (2013), Heneka, Marra & Amendola (2014), and Javanmardi et al. (2015). It is interesting to note that several of these studies have found a low-significance dipole correlated with the general direction of the CMB dipole.

In this work we use the Union2.1 sample in order to search for possible anisotropies of the Hubble expansion. The approach that we follow is to attempt to identify solid angles that show a different expansion behaviour compared to others. In our analysis we use only SNIa with redshifts z ≥ 0.02 in order to avoid uncertainties in their estimated distances due to the local bulk flows (eg., Ma & Pan 2014; Appleby, Shafieloo & Johnson 2015).

2. DATA AND METHODOLOGY

2.1. Union2.1 SNIa sample

The Union2.1 is one of the largest compilations of supernovae of type la (Suzuki et al. 2012). It originally consisted of 833 SNe drawn from 19 different datasets, but after a variety of homogenization selection criteria (eg. lightcurve quality cuts) 580 remained, out of which there are 546 SNIa with z ≥ 0.02 and 29 with z > 1. The high-redshift SNIa are extremely important to calculate the cosmological parameters, because the differences of various dark energy (DE hereafter) models are larger and more significant at such redshifts (for example see Figure 1 in Plionis et al. 2011).

We note that the final Union2.1 SNIa distance moduli provided and used in the current paper have been obtained by assuming a common correction for the "stretch", color and host-galaxy parameters for all SNIa (Suzuki et al. 2012), independent of their direction.

In order to visualize the angular and redshift distribution of the Union2.1 SNIa sample, we constructed a pie diagram with the redshift, z, being the radius and the right ascension, α, being the angle (Figure 1). As we can see the higher-z SNIa are detected preferentially along specific directions, some of which contain more data than others. This non-uniform distribution of data, in terms of coordinates, is a result of the fact that the observational campaigns cover very small solid angles of the sky.

2.2. Quantifying the Hubble flow

The basic procedure by which the Hubble expansion is traced observationally is through the so-called distance modulus, μ, defined by:

1

where m and M are the apparent and absolute magnitude of the SNIa, and d L, its luminosity distance, given for a flat geometry (Ωk = 0) by:

2

with H(z) the so-called Hubble parameter defined, using the 1st Friedmann equation, by:

3

with H 0 the Hubble constant and m,o, Ωk,o, Ωg the fractional densities of matter, curvature and the cosmological constant or DE, respectively, at the present epoch, while w is the equation of state parameter of dark energy. It is evident that the luminosity distance depends strongly on the cosmological parameters. Different DE models modify the functional form of ω(x). The QDE model (Quintessence DE), that we will use in the current study, assumes a constant equation of state parameter, ω, which can admit values different from -1.

The assumption of an isotropic Hubble expansion implies a Hubble parameter H(z) being a function only of z and not of direction. Therefore, different radial directions should provide statistically equivalent H(z). The approach we use in this analysis is to investigate different radial directions, or solid angles, in order to confirm or not the independence of H(z) on direction. The criterion of equivalence of the Hubble expansion for different solid angles will be whether the resulting cosmological parameters, (Ω m o,ω), provided by fitting the data to the Hubble expansion models, are statistically consistent among themselves and with the solution using the whole (z > 0.02) Union2.1 compilation.

2.3. The X 2 - minimization procedure

In order to fit the cosmological parameters of equation (3) we minimize the difference between the SNIa observed distance moduli and the theoretical ones via equation (1). To this end we use a X 2 minimization procedure outlined below.

Suppose we have a measurement of the distance modulus μ 0bs(zi) with an uncertainty σμ, which arises from its redshift z i . The theoretically expected distance modulus for the same redshift z i is μ, th(zi, p), with p ≡ ω,Ω m0 being the model's free parameters. Now suppose that we have N μ 0bs (zi ) independent measure ments. The total probability of obtaining this entire set of N data points is equal to the product of the probability for each data point, so :

4

If we want to find the maximum probability we have to minimize the sum in the exponential term of Ptot, and therefore, this quantity is defined as:

5

the minimum value of which, X 2 min, provides the maximum probability of Ptot. Thus, since the theoretical expected μ th (zi,p), depend on a set of free parameters, which correspond to the elements of the vector p [ in our case p = (Ω m o,ω) ], we can test for which values of these parameters we obtain the maximum probability. In our analysis we ignore the covariance matrix of the errors in the observed SNIa distance moduli and use the root-mean-square of the diagonal elements, provided by the Union2.1 catalogue. In addition, we use the approach of Nesseris & Perivolaropoulos (2006) with which we do not need to impose an a priori value of the Hubble constant.

The best fit value of the free parameters, po, is provided by the X 2 min. When the parameters differ from these values, p ≠ po, then the X 2 increases, so ∆x 2 = X 2 - X 2 min > 0. Limits of ∆x 2 that depend on the number of the fitted parameters N f , define confidence regions that contain a certain fraction of the probability distribution of p's. For our case of N f = 2, the 1, 2 and 3 σ confidence regions correspond to ∆x 2 = 2.3, 6.17 and 11.83, respectively.

3. RESULTS

Using the whole (z > 0.02) Union2.1 sample we derive, as expected, the already published QDE model constrains of:

6

with X 2/dof = 0.9567, fully consistent with those of Suzuki et al. (2012). Now, we proceed to identify possible anisotropies of the Hubble flow.

3.1. Dividing the sky into nine solid angles

As a first test, we divided the celestial sphere into nine fully independent solid angles, as shown in Figure 2, so that each one has a similar number of SNIa. We then fitted the QDE cosmological parameters in each zone, by using the previously described minimization procedure. We identified one sky region with a distinctly different Ω m,o -ω solution as compared with other regions of the sky, as well as with the whole Union2.1 sample. This region, which we call Group X, contains 82 SNIa and has galactic coordinates within: 35° < l < 83° and -79° < b < -37° (the red region in Figure 2). We have verified that the SNIa redshift distribution in this region does not present any "peculiarity" with respect to the overall distribution. In fact, although the redshift distributions of the separate regions show inconsistencies with the overall Union2.1 redshift distribution (with corresponding Kolmogorov-Smirnov probabilities varying from Ƥ ≃ 10-7 up to ~ 0.13), that of Group X is the most statistically consistent with the overall distribution (Ƥ ≃ 0.13). Thus a "peculiar" redshift distribution is not the cause of the behavior of the (m,o - ω ) solution for Group X.

In the left panel of Figure 3 we compare the 1σ contour region of Group X with that of the rest of the Union2.1 sample. It is clear that their respective 1σ contour regions have no common area, indicating a relatively significant difference. Quantitatively, the difference of the latter best-fit solution with respect to that of Group X is ∆x 2 ≃ 4.3 (i.e., the probability of their being different is ≃ 90%).

In order to visualise the uniqueness of the behaviour of Group X we plot in the right panel of Figure 3 the fraction of the QDE 1σ contour area, based on the whole Union2.1 (excluding the Group X), which is common with that based on every one of the 9 independent subsamples of SNIa. We observe that the 1σ solution space of the entire sample is fully (100%) encompassed within almost each one of the other 8 subsamples (with one exception, which is at 60% and is shown in green in Figure 2). Remarkably, Group X is at 0%.

It is interesting to note that Group X is located close to the CMB dipole anti-apex direction. Furthermore, many studies have consistently found the largest deviations from an isotropic expansion occurring near this direction. For example, as early as 2001 and using only 79 SNIa, Kolatt & Lahav (2001) found a Hubble diagram dipole pointing towards (l,b) ≃ (80°,-20°). Antoniou & Perivolaropoulos (2010) using the Union2 SNIa sample and, separately, Cooke & Lynden-Bell (2010), using the slightly earlier Union sample, also found a preferred axis of minimum acceleration in the same general direction, although at a low significance level.

Yang, Wang & Chu (2013) using the Union2.1 SNIa data also found a low significance preferred direction of the accelerating expansion. Finally, Javanmardi et al. (2015), found as the most discrepant direction of the Hubble expansion the region centered on (l, b) ≃ (67.5°, -66.4°), which indeed coincides with our Group X.

3.2. Possible systematic effects

The statistically important "erratic" behaviour of Group X with respect to the rest of the SNIa could be due to a variety of reasons, among which are: an intrinsic anisotropy of the Hubble expansion, a large bulk flow in this part of the sky or some unknown systematic observational error (see for example Heneka et al. 2014). In this respect we remind the reader that the SNIa distance moduli, provided in the Union2.1 compilation, have been derived assuming a global correction for individual deviations from the average SNIa light-curve and from the mean color. As highlighted in Javanmardi et al. (2015), the most robust approach for testing isotropy would be to find the values for the "stretch", color and host-galaxy parameters for each patch of the sky separately. However, we adopt the simplified approach of the global correction, as in Javanmardi et al. (2015).

Below we present our analysis of two possible systematic observational effects that could be the cause of the "erratic" behaviour of Group X.

3.2.1. Galactic absorption

We tested whether the erratic behaviour of Group X could be due to an inadequate treatment of the Galactic absorption. To this end, we plotted for each SNIa (left panel of Figure 4) the distance modulus deviation from that expected in the concordance model, ie., ∆μ = μ obs (zi ) th (zi,p) with p ≡ (ω,Ωm, o) ≡ ( - 1.013,0.282), as a function of the Galactic latitude |b|.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the SNIa distance moduli of Group X (large dots) do not show a distinct behaviour as a function of |b|. However, we see that the SNIa with the largest ∆μ's, i.e., the apparently faintest ones, are all at small |b|'s, which strongly hints towards at least some SNIa having magnitudes inadequately corrected, or overcorrected, for Galactic absorption. These SNIa (1997k with b = 16.6°, 19971 with b = 22.4° and 1997o with b = 22.9°) are also among the closest to the plane of the Galaxy.

3.2.2. SNIa Outliers ?

We have investigated the possibility of whether an erratic behaviour of one or a few SNIa could cause the mentioned effect. To this end we systematically excluded, one by one, each of the SNIa of Group X and checked whether the QDE 1σ contour area of the remaining Group X increased its consistency with the Union2.1 solution (excluding the Group X). We found that, although the large majority of the single SNIa do not have any major contribution to the erratic behaviour of Group X, some individual SNIa do have a very large effect on the Group X solution, as can be seen in Figure 5 where we plot the fraction of the overall Union2.1 (excluding the Group X) 1σ contour area covered by the corresponding Group X 1σ contour area when excluding one SNIa at a time. The three cases that show a > 20% effect are shown in black. The largest effect, that of a ≈ 35% recovery of the common solution space, is due to excluding the 03D4.cx SNIa at z = 0.949. The next most important effect is due to g050 at z = 0.613. By excluding it we obtain a ≈ 25% recovery of the common solution space, while the third most important effect, again at a ≈ 23% level, is due to the 2005hv at z = 0.1776. Most importantly, the joint effect of excluding all three "erratic" SNIa is the increase of the consistency from 0% to more than 93%, thus annulling the tension between the Group X and the rest of the Union2.1 sample solution.

We conclude that the identified inconsistency of the Hubble expansion of the SNIa of Group X appears to be dominated by the erratic behaviour of only three out of the 82 SNIa, highlighting the sensitivity of the Hubble expansion solution to outliers when small numbers of SNIa are investigated.

Excluding from the overall analysis the above three "erratic" SNIa, as well as the three SNIa at low galactic latitudes, which may be inadequately corrected for Galactic absorption, we find:

7

with X 2/dof = 0.909. Comparing this result with the solution using all the Union2.1 set (equation 6) we see a small but perceptible difference of the best fit Ω m,o,ω parameter values, while the X 2/dof is also smaller.

3.3. Separate Galactic hemispheres solutions

We now consider, as a final test of possible Hubble expansion anisotropies, the southern and northern Galactic hemispheres separately, excluding the 6 "erratic" SNIa previously identified. We therefore use 332 and 208 SNIa, respectively for the southern and northern hemispheres. The results are:

South : ω = -0.805 ± 0.084, m,0 = 0.186-0.0468+0.0508 X 2 min/dof = 0.9492

North: ω = -1.144-0.1440)+0.1325 , m,0 = 0.315-0.0377+0.0405 X 2 min/dof = 0.8500

It can be seen that the best-fit QDE model parameters for the two hemispheres are quite different, with a ∆x 2 = 1.27, but within the 1σ uncertainty contour range, as shown in Figure 6. Therefore this difference indicates some tension between the two hemisphere solutions, but does not appear to constitute evidence of a significant anisotropy.

4. CONCLUSIONS

We have searched for possible anisotropies of the Hubble expansion using the Union2.1 SNIa data. Our approach was to investigate separately the Hubble expansion traced by SNIa in 9 solid angles, covering the whole sky, as well as separately in the two Galactic hemispheres. We have identified only one particular sky region, with Galactic coordinates 35° < l < 83° & -79° < b < -37° (near the CMB dipole anti-apex direction), which results in a significantly different Ω m,o - ω solution with respect to the rest of the Union2.1 compilation, or to any other subsample of similar size that we have analysed. Our investigation for the possible causes of this result has shown that it should probably not be attributed to an intrinsic anisotropy in the Hubble flow, but rather to the erratic behaviour of only three SNIa, highlighting the sensitivity of the measured Hubble expansion to outliers when relatively small numbers of SNIa are investigated. We have also found that the three most deviant SNIa distance moduli are located at very low galactic latitudes, suggesting an inadequate Galactic absorption correction. Excluding the six problematic SNIa from the Union2.1 sample results in a perceptible change the QDE model free parameters, but not at a significant level. Finally, we have also found a quite different QDE parameters fit between the North and South Galactic hemispheres, but not significant enough to assert the detection of a Hubble expansion anisotropy.

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Received: December 07, 2015; Accepted: February 02, 2016

K. Migkas: Argelander Institute for Astronomy (AIfA), University of Bonn, Auf dem Hugel 71, 53121 Bonn, Germany.

M. Plionis: Astrophysics, Astronomy & Mechanics Sector, Physics Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Greece.