Dark Energy and Wide Field Astronomy with SNAP

Eric Linder (Berkeley Lab)

Abstract:
Precision distance-redshift observations can map out the recent
expansion history of the universe, exploring the unexpected cosmic
acceleration.  The proposed Supernova/Acceleration Probe (SNAP)
satellite, a candidate for the NASA Beyond Einstein missions, will
determine the energy density and equation of state of the accelerating
dark energy, providing insights into fundamental physics and cosmology.
Its weak gravitational lensing survey can map the dark matter
distribution and probe the evolution of structure. SNAP's astronomy
capabilities can be summed up as wide, deep, and colorful. Survey data
will cover 9000 times the area of the Hubble Deep Field to twice as deep
in 9 wavelengths bands from the optical to near infrared.