Apparent magnitudes of high redshift Type 1a supernovae and intergalactic graphite whiskers

Abstract

The concept of a Universe undergoing an acceleration in its expansion rate and predicating the existence of dark energy is based on observed deficits in brightness of Type 1a supernovae at high redshifts, amounting to Δ m∼0.3–0.5. We show that the effect of intergalactic graphite whiskers of radii in the general range 0.03–0.07 μm and lengths in excess of ∼5 μm will be to mimic the effects of dark energy in the redshift magnitude relation for Type 1a supernovae. The mean intergalactic density of whiskers required for such an effect is ∼3×10−34 g cm−3, about 10−5 of the critical closure density.