Report of the Dark Energy Task Force

Andreas Albrecht; Gary Bernstein; Robert Cahn; Wendy L. Freedman; Jacqueline Hewitt; Wayne Hu; John Huth; Marc Kamionkowski; Edward W. Kolb; Lloyd Knox; John C. Mather; Suzanne Staggs; Nicholas B. Suntzeff

arXiv · astro-ph/0609591

Report of the Dark Energy Task Force

Andreas Albrecht·Gary Bernstein·Robert Cahn·Wendy L. Freedman·Jacqueline Hewitt·Wayne Hu·John Huth·Marc Kamionkowski·Edward W. Kolb·Lloyd Knox·John C. Mather·Suzanne Staggs·Nicholas B. Suntzeff

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Abstract

Dark energy appears to be the dominant component of the physical Universe, yet there is no persuasive theoretical explanation for its existence or magnitude. The acceleration of the Universe is, along with dark matter, the observed phenomenon that most directly demonstrates that our theories of fundamental particles and gravity are either incorrect or incomplete. Most experts believe that nothing short of a revolution in our understanding of fundamental physics will be required to achieve a full understanding of the cosmic acceleration. For these reasons, the nature of dark energy ranks among the very most compelling of all outstanding problems in physical science. These circumstances demand an ambitious observational program to determine the dark energy properties as well as possible.

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Andreas Albrecht, Gary Bernstein, Robert Cahn, Wendy L. Freedman, Jacqueline Hewitt, Wayne Hu, John Huth, Marc Kamionkowski, Edward W. Kolb, Lloyd Knox, John C. Mather, Suzanne Staggs, Nicholas B. Suntzeff. 2006-09-20. Report of the Dark Energy Task Force. https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0609591

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