First Measurement of the Hubble Constant from a Dark Standard Siren using the Dark Energy Survey Galaxies and the LIGO/Virgo Binary–Black-hole Merger GW170814

Abstract

We present a multi-messenger measurement of the Hubble constant H 0 using the binary–black-hole merger GW170814 as a standard siren, combined with a photometric redshift catalog from the Dark Energy Survey (DES). The luminosity distance is obtained from the gravitational wave signal detected by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO)/Virgo Collaboration (LVC) on 2017 August 14, and the redshift information is provided by the DES Year 3 data. Black hole mergers such as GW170814 are expected to lack bright electromagnetic emission to uniquely identify their host galaxies and build an object-by-object Hubble diagram. However, they are suitable for a statistical measurement, provided that a galaxy catalog of adequate depth and redshift completion is available. Here we present the first Hubble parameter measurement using a black hole merger. Our analysis results in , which is consistent with both SN Ia and cosmic microwave background measurements of the Hubble constant. The quoted 68% credible region comprises 60% of the uniform prior range [20, 140] km s−1 Mpc−1, and it depends on the assumed prior range. If we take a broader prior of [10, 220] km s−1 Mpc−1, we find (57% of the prior range). Although a weak constraint on the Hubble constant from a single event is expected using the dark siren method, a multifold increase in the LVC event rate is anticipated in the coming years and combinations of many sirens will lead to improved constraints on H 0.

Gravitational wave opacity from gauge field dark energy

“…We have not considered the use of so-called dark standard sirens, due to binary black hole (BBH) mergers that have no EM counterpart to provide a redshift. These signals can still be used for cosmography either by probabilistically identifying a well-localized source with a host galaxy in a galaxy redshift catalog [36] or by using some prior knowledge about the source population redshift distribution [37]. On an individual basis, BBH standard sirens are not as precise as systems with an EM counterpart, and so, for the time being, we have concentrated on BNS and MBHB sirens.…”

A New Measurement of the Hubble Constant and Matter Content of the Universe Using Extragalactic Background Light γ-Ray Attenuation

“…As discussed by Suyu et al (2012), multiple paths to independent determinations of the Hubble constant are needed in order to assess and control systematic uncertainties (see also, Chen & Ratra 2011;Abbott et al 2017;Soares-Santos et al 2019;Freedman et al 2019). Accurate estimates of H 0 provide critical independent constraints on dark energy, spatial curvature, neutrino physics, and general relativity (Freedman & Madore 2010;Suyu et al 2012;Weinberg et al 2013).…”

Observing the Dark Sector

“…In Del Pozzo [2012] it was shown that it will be possible to determinethe Hubble-Lemaître constant with a precision of few % after 50 dark sirens detections, i.e., GW events without the concurrent presence of electromagnetic transient, see Figure 20. In a region of 10 degrees squared, say, ∼ 10 4 galaxies are expected to be present within a distance up to ∼ 500 Mpc, and even if galaxy catalogs can encompass most of the stellar mass present in the localized region, and photometric redshift determinations are available (see Soares-Santos et al [2019] for an implementation of the idea with a recent binary black hole detection), the number of candidate galaxies will induce a large error in the final measurement which be counteracted only by combining large numbers of dark sirens.…”