Spherical collapse with dark energy

I discuss the work of Maor and Lahav (JCAP 0507:003, 2005), in which the inclusion of dark energy into the spherical collapse formalism is reviewed. Adopting a phenomenological approach, I consider the consequences of (a) allowing the dark energy to cluster, and, (b) including the dark energy in the virialization process. Both of these issues affect the final state of the system in a fundamental way. The results suggest a potentially differentiating signature between a true cosmological constant and a dynamic form of dark energy. This signature is unique in the sense that it does not depend on a measurement of the value of the equation of state of dark energy.