An updated precision estimate of the Hubble constant and the age and density of the Universe in the decaying neutrino theory

Abstract

We here update the derivation of precise values for the Hubble constant H_0, the age t_0 and the density parameter Omega*h^2 of the universe in the decaying neutrino theory for the ionisation of the interstellar medium (Sciama 1990 a, 1993). Using recent measurements of the temperature of the cosmic microwave background, of the abundances of D, He^4 and Li^7, and of the intergalactic hydrogen-ionising photon flux at zero red shift, we obtain for the density parameter of the universe Omega*h^2=0.300\pm 0.003. Observed limits on H_0 and t_0 then imply that, for a zero cosmological constant, H_0=52.5\pm 2.5 km. sec^{-1} Mpc^{-1}, t_0=12.7\pm 0.7 Gyr and Omega=1.1\pm 0.1. If Omega=1 exactly, then H_0=54.8\pm 0.3 km. sec^{-1} Mpc^{-1}, and t_0=11.96\pm 0.06 Gyr. These precise predictions of the decaying neutrino theory are compatible with current observational estimates of these quantities.