Author(s)

Frank R. Tangherlini

San Diego, CA, USA.

This work extends the author’s two previous works (2015), Journal of Modern Physics, 6, 78-87, and 1360-1370, by obtaining the index of refraction n of the dark energy for additional values of the cosmological density parameters, and for the two methods of obtaining n: least squares fit, and electromagnetic theory. Comparison of the alternative model with the accelerating universe for the new values of the density parameters and n is given in two tables. The new values for n are used to obtain a range of ages for the Einstein de Sitter (EdS) universe. It is shown that the EdS universe must be older than the comparison accelerating universe. This requirement is met for the Planck 2015 value of the Hubble constant, corrected for the speed of light reduction by n. A supporting measurement as well as a disagreeing measurement is also discussed. Possible support from a stellar age determination is also discussed. It is shown that the expression obtained earlier for the increased apparent magnitude of the SNe Ia provides as good a fit for a closed universe with Ω(tot = 1.005) , as it does for the flat EdS universe. Comparison is presented in a third table. An upper bound on Ω_Λ is given for a closed universe that eventually collapses back on itself that is too small for the value needed for the accelerating universe.

Dark Energy, Speed of Light, Age of Universe, Closed Universe

Tangherlini, F. (2016) A Possible Alternative to the Accelerating Universe III. Journal of Modern Physics, 7, 1829-1844. doi: 10.4236/jmp.2016.713163.