Cosmological Insights from Supernovae

Abstract

While low-z Type Ia supernovae are used to measure the present rate of expansion of the Universe, high-z Type Ia measure its variation due to the cosmic matter-energy content. Results from those determinations imply a low matter density Universe with a non-zero cosmological constant (vacuum-energy component). The expansion rate of the Universe accelerates, according to these determinations. The validity of the Type Ia supernova approach for this cosmological research is addressed. An account is given of additional prospects to further investigate through supernovae what the Universe is made of. Those attempts range from constraining the large scale dark matter distribution to further test and interpret the presence of a vacuum energy component.