Quantum mechanics

Theoretical physics

Philosophy

Cosmology

Planck

Astrophysics

Statistical physics

Dark energy

Physics

Mathematics

Work (physics)

Epistemology

Mathematical analysis

Hubble's law

Base (topology)

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

This paper investigates whether changes to late time physics can resolve the `Hubble tension'. It is argued that many of the claims in the literature favouring such solutions are caused by a misunderstanding of how distance ladder measurements actually work and, in particular, by the inappropriate use of a distance ladder H0 prior. A dynamics-free inverse distance ladder shows that changes to late time physics are strongly constrained observationally and cannot resolve the discrepancy between the SH0ES data and the base LCDM cosmology inferred from Planck. We propose a statistically rigorous scheme to replace the use of H0 priors

To <i>H</i>0 or not to <i>H</i>0?

To H0 or not to H0?