. | . |
Model predicts presence of naked singularity in 4D space by Brooks Hays Washington DC (UPI) May 22, 2017 A new computer model predicts the possibility of naked singularities in four-dimensional space, challenging Einstein's general theory of relativity. The theory of relativity describes gravity -- a product of matter's effect on spacetime -- and its relations to the other laws of physics. A singularity is a point in space where gravity is so strong that the laws of physics break down. The theory of relativity predicts all black holes are located in the center of black holes, surrounded by an event horizon, rendering them unobservable. Some scientists believe singularities could exist outside of an event horizon, exposed. The theoretical phenomena are known as naked singularities. If they exist, they would contradict Einstein's theory of relativity. Researchers have previously designed models predicting naked singularities, but until now, all such models relied upon five dimensions. For the first time, physicists have created a model predicting naked singularities in four-dimensional space -- three spatial dimensions, plus time. The model shows a naked singularity can yield what's called anti-de Sitter space, a curved, saddle-shaped space. Light doesn't travel linearly in anti-de Sitter space. Instead, it's curved inward toward a boundary and reflected back. "It's a bit like having a spacetime in a box," Toby Crisford, a theoretical physicist at the University of Cambridge, said in a news release. "At the boundary, the walls of the box, we have the freedom to specify what the various fields are doing, and we use this freedom to add energy to the system and eventually force the formation of a singularity." The new paper -- published in the journal Physical Review Letters -- doesn't offer proof of the existence of naked singularities. But it does showcase the shortcomings of relativity theory and provides an opening for new gravitational theories like quantum gravity. "The naked singularity we see is likely to disappear if we were to include charged particles in our simulation -- this is something we are currently investigating," said Cambridge researcher Jorge Santos. "If true, it could imply a connection between the cosmic censorship conjecture and the weak gravity conjecture, which says that any consistent theory of quantum gravity must contain sufficiently charged particles. In anti-de Sitter space, the cosmic censorship conjecture might be saved by the weak gravity conjecture."
Baltimore, MD (SPX) May 22, 2017 Astronomers with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) have created the first map of the large-scale structure of the universe based entirely on the positions of quasars. Quasars are the incredibly bright and distant points of light powered by supermassive black holes. "Because quasars are so bright, we can see them all the way across the universe," said Ashley Ross of the Ohio State Univers ... read more Related Links Understanding Time and Space
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |