Cosmology with supernova Encore in the strong lensing cluster MACS J0138-2155: Lens model comparison and H0 measurement
Pith reviewed 2026-05-18 15:46 UTC · model grok-4.3
The pith
Seven independent mass models of the lensing cluster MACS J0138-2155 combined with the observed time delay of supernova Encore infer a Hubble constant of 66.9 km s^{-1} Mpc^{-1}.
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
Core claim
By building seven independent mass models of MACS J0138-2155 from eight gold lensed image systems with secure spectroscopic redshifts and applying them to the newly measured time delay of SN Encore, the authors jointly infer H0 = 66.9^{+11.2}_{-8.1} km s^{-1} Mpc^{-1}, with the uncertainty dominated by the time-delay measurement itself. The models also yield relations between H0 and the time delays of both supernovae, along with predictions for the appearance of their next images at delays of thousands of days.
What carries the argument
Seven independent mass models of the cluster built with six different software packages from gold lensed image systems that include secure spectroscopic redshifts.
If this is right
- The models give concrete relations between H0 and the time delays of SN Encore and SN Requiem.
- For an assumed H0 of 73 km s^{-1} Mpc^{-1} the four lowest-chi-squared models predict SN Requiem will reappear between April and December 2026.
- For an assumed H0 of 67 km s^{-1} Mpc^{-1} the same models predict reappearance between March and November 2027.
- The long predicted delays for the next images of both supernovae open the possibility of measuring H0 to 2-3 percent uncertainty with future observations.
Where Pith is reading between the lines
- The blind multi-team modeling approach used here could be applied to other strong-lensing clusters to quantify software and method systematics in future H0 studies.
- If the predicted reappearances occur on schedule, the same lens system could provide repeated independent time-delay measurements that tighten the H0 constraint beyond the current delay-limited uncertainty.
- The reported H0 value sits between local and early-universe determinations, so repeated measurements from this and similar systems could test whether the difference persists at higher precision.
Load-bearing premise
The seven independent mass models accurately predict the time delays of the supernova images without large unaccounted systematics from modeling choices or software differences.
What would settle it
An observed time delay or reappearance date for the next image of SN Encore or SN Requiem that lies well outside the range predicted by the models for the reported H0 value would falsify the inference.
Figures
read the original abstract
MACS J0138-2155 is the only known cluster to strongly lens two supernovae (SNe), Requiem and Encore, from the same host galaxy at z=1.949. We present seven independent mass models of the galaxy cluster built using six software packages. By conducting a blind analysis (no exchanges of results between modeling teams), we quantified uncertainties due to modeling and software. Through HST, JWST and MUSE observations, we assembled high-quality data products, including eight "gold" lensed image systems consisting of 23 images with secure spectroscopic redshifts, and one "silver" system with a likely redshift value. Restricting to the gold images, we obtain overall consistent model predictions of the positions, magnifications and time delays of SN Encore and SN Requiem images, especially for models with $\chi^2 \leq 25$. We predict the appearance of the next images of SNe Encore and Requiem with a time delay of >~3000 days and of ~3700 to 4000 days, respectively, based on a fiducial cosmological model of $H_0 = 70 {\rm\ km\ s^{-1}\ Mpc^{-1}}$ and $\Omega_{\rm m} = 0.3$. We obtain relations between $H_0$ and the time delays of SNe Encore and Requiem. In particular, for $H_0 = 73 {\rm\ km\ s^{-1}\ Mpc^{-1}}$, the four lowest $\chi^2$ models predict SN Requiem to reappear in ~Apr-Dec 2026; for $H_0 = 67 {\rm\ km\ s^{-1}\ Mpc^{-1}}$, in ~Mar-Nov 2027. Using the newly measured time delay between the two detected images of SN Encore by Pierel et al. (2026) and our mass models, we jointly infer $H_0 = {\rm 66.9^{+11.2}_{-8.1}\ km\ s^{-1}\ Mpc^{-1}}$, where the uncertainty is dominated by that of the time delay. The long delays of the next-appearing SN Requiem and SN Encore images provide excellent opportunities to measure $H_0$ with an uncertainty of 2-3%. Our mass models form the basis for cosmological inference from this unique lens cluster with two strongly lensed SNe. (Abridged)
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. The paper constructs seven independent mass models of the strong-lensing cluster MACS J0138-2155 using six different software packages in a blind analysis. Drawing on HST, JWST and MUSE data, the authors assemble eight gold lensed-image systems (23 images with secure spectroscopic redshifts) plus one silver system. The models are shown to yield consistent predictions for the image positions, magnifications and time delays of the two lensed supernovae (Encore and Requiem) from the same z=1.949 host, especially for fits with χ² ≤ 25. Using the recently measured time delay between the two detected images of SN Encore, the authors jointly infer H0 = 66.9^{+11.2}_{-8.1} km s^{-1} Mpc^{-1} (uncertainty stated to be dominated by the time-delay measurement) and provide forecasts for the reappearance of future images under different H0 values.
Significance. If the central result holds, the work supplies an independent, time-delay-based H0 constraint from a rare cluster that lenses two supernovae from the same host galaxy. The blind, multi-software modeling campaign is a clear methodological strength that quantifies software- and parametrization-driven scatter. The long predicted time delays (>3000 days) for the next images of both supernovae offer a concrete path to future 2–3 % H0 measurements. The lens models themselves constitute a reusable resource for further cosmological or astrophysical studies of this system.
major comments (2)
- [H0 inference and abstract] Abstract and H0-inference section: the statement that 'the uncertainty is dominated by that of the time delay' rests on the premise that the seven models furnish unbiased Fermat-potential differences. Because all models are constrained by the identical set of 23 gold images with MUSE spectroscopic redshifts and employ broadly similar parametric or free-form representations, any common systematic (e.g., in image identification, redshift assignment, or mass-sheet degeneracy treatment) would shift all predicted delays coherently and bias the joint H0 posterior without enlarging the quoted uncertainty.
- [Model comparison and time-delay prediction sections] Model-comparison and time-delay sections: while the blind analysis demonstrates consistency among the χ² ≤ 25 models, the manuscript does not propagate the residual model-to-model scatter in predicted time delays into the final H0 posterior. A quantitative test—e.g., the range of H0 values obtained when each model is used individually—would clarify whether the joint inference is robust or whether the reported uncertainty understates the modeling contribution.
minor comments (2)
- [Abstract and references] The citation 'Pierel et al. (2026)' appears in the abstract and main text; please clarify its status (in prep., submitted, or published) and update the reference list accordingly.
- [Figures] Figure captions should explicitly label which curve or point corresponds to each of the seven models and the six software packages to improve readability.
Simulated Author's Rebuttal
We thank the referee for their thorough review and constructive comments on our manuscript. We address the major comments point by point below, indicating where revisions will be made to improve clarity and robustness.
read point-by-point responses
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Referee: Abstract and H0-inference section: the statement that 'the uncertainty is dominated by that of the time delay' rests on the premise that the seven models furnish unbiased Fermat-potential differences. Because all models are constrained by the identical set of 23 gold images with MUSE spectroscopic redshifts and employ broadly similar parametric or free-form representations, any common systematic (e.g., in image identification, redshift assignment, or mass-sheet degeneracy treatment) would shift all predicted delays coherently and bias the joint H0 posterior without enlarging the quoted uncertainty.
Authors: We agree that shared systematics across models (such as common treatments of the mass-sheet degeneracy or image identification) could in principle introduce a coherent bias not captured by the reported uncertainty. Our blind analysis using six independent software packages and diverse parametrizations was specifically designed to sample a broad range of modeling choices and thereby quantify software- and parametrization-driven scatter. The close agreement among the χ² ≤ 25 models for both image positions and time-delay predictions provides empirical support that residual modeling differences are modest. Nevertheless, we acknowledge that this does not exhaustively rule out every possible common bias. In the revised manuscript we will expand the H0-inference discussion to state this caveat explicitly and to clarify the assumptions under which the time-delay uncertainty is considered dominant. revision: partial
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Referee: Model-comparison and time-delay sections: while the blind analysis demonstrates consistency among the χ² ≤ 25 models, the manuscript does not propagate the residual model-to-model scatter in predicted time delays into the final H0 posterior. A quantitative test—e.g., the range of H0 values obtained when each model is used individually—would clarify whether the joint inference is robust or whether the reported uncertainty understates the modeling contribution.
Authors: We appreciate this suggestion. Although the joint posterior was constructed by combining the seven models, we did not present the individual H0 constraints derived from each model separately. To directly address the referee’s request, we will add a supplementary table (or figure) in the revised manuscript that reports the H0 posterior obtained when each model is used in isolation, together with the combined result. This addition will allow readers to evaluate the contribution of model-to-model scatter and to confirm that the quoted uncertainty is not materially understated. revision: yes
Circularity Check
No significant circularity; H0 inference relies on independent lens-model constraints and external time-delay measurement
full rationale
The derivation begins with mass models fitted exclusively to positions and spectroscopic redshifts of the eight gold lensed image systems (23 images). These models compute Fermat potential differences for the SN Encore images. The observed time delay, reported as an independent measurement in the cited Pierel et al. (2026) work, is then matched to the model-predicted delay (which scales with the time-delay distance and thus H0) to obtain the reported H0 value. This chain does not reduce any step to self-definition, fitted inputs renamed as predictions, or load-bearing self-citations that substitute for external verification; the constraining observables for the models are distinct from the time-delay datum, and the paper explicitly states that the final uncertainty is dominated by the time-delay measurement rather than model parameters. Blind inter-model comparison further separates modeling choices from the cosmological inference.
Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger
free parameters (1)
- Lens mass model parameters
axioms (1)
- domain assumption Time delays between lensed images depend on the lens mass distribution and the angular diameter distances set by cosmology including H0
Lean theorems connected to this paper
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IndisputableMonolith/Foundation/RealityFromDistinction.leanreality_from_one_distinction unclear?
unclearRelation between the paper passage and the cited Recognition theorem.
Using the newly measured time delay between the two detected images of SN Encore ... we jointly infer H0 = 66.9^{+11.2}_{-8.1} km s^{-1} Mpc^{-1}
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IndisputableMonolith/Cost/FunctionalEquation.leanwashburn_uniqueness_aczel unclear?
unclearRelation between the paper passage and the cited Recognition theorem.
seven independent mass models ... χ²_im ≤ 25 ... time delays of SN Encore and SN Requiem
What do these tags mean?
- matches
- The paper's claim is directly supported by a theorem in the formal canon.
- supports
- The theorem supports part of the paper's argument, but the paper may add assumptions or extra steps.
- extends
- The paper goes beyond the formal theorem; the theorem is a base layer rather than the whole result.
- uses
- The paper appears to rely on the theorem as machinery.
- contradicts
- The paper's claim conflicts with a theorem or certificate in the canon.
- unclear
- Pith found a possible connection, but the passage is too broad, indirect, or ambiguous to say the theorem truly supports the claim.
Forward citations
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Reference graph
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discussion (0)
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