Reconstructing dark energy

This review summarizes recent attempts to reconstruct the expansion history of the universe and to probe the nature of dark energy. Reconstruction methods can be broadly classified into parametric and non-parametric approaches. It is encouraging that, even with the limited observational data currently available, different approaches give consistent results for the reconstruction of the Hubble parameter H(z) and the effective equation of state w(z) of dark energy. Model independent reconstruction using current data allows for modest evolution of dark energy density with redshift. However, a cosmological constant (= dark energy with a constant energy density) remains an excellent fit to the data. Some pitfalls to be guarded against during cosmological reconstruction are summarized and future directions for the model independent reconstruction of dark energy are explored.