 Hubble parameter

The Hubble parameter is the instantaneous fractional rate of cosmic expansion:where the dot is a derivative with respect to cosmic time. Thus a short interval $\Delta t$ changes any fixed-comoving proper distance in cosmology by the fraction $\Delta d/d\simeq H\Delta t$. Its dimensions are inverse time; $H>0$ describes expansion and $H<0$ contraction. The Hubble parameter identity gives $\dot{H}+H^2=\ddot{a}/a$.