"With the as an anchor, theory converged on a standard model of the universe, which was still in place in 1998, at the time of our discovery of the . This standard model was based on the theory of general relativity, and two assumptions. assumption one was that the , and assumption two that it is composed of normal , i.e. matter whose density falls directly in proportion to the volume of space, which it occupies. Within this framework, it was possible to devise observational tests of the overall theory, as well as provide values for the fundamental constants within this model – the current expansion rate (), and the average density of matter in the universe. For this model, it was also possible to directly relate the density of the universe to the rate of cosmic deceleration and the geometry of space. it stated that the more material the faster the deceleration, that above a critical density the universe has a and below this a ."