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One cosmological constant may vary through time/space?
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 5:36 am
by Crude
Heya all. I've enjoyed this site for a while - it's a good resource. I thought you all may be interested in this development. Controversial, but it's something to discuss.
http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/201110 ... _sys.shtml
Basically, apparently someone is now suggesting that one of the cosmological constants (electromagnetic) actually varies across space and time.
Re: One cosmological constant may vary through time/space?
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 6:00 am
by Crude
Note: My impression is that...
A) This is tremendously speculative. Far more evidence would be needed, and the paper author says he's not sure this could even be settled in his lifetime.
B) It would mean an end to the copernican principle.
C) It would only apply to, it seems, one of the constants. (Not sure how much that impacts fine tuning.)
Re: One cosmological constant may vary through time/space?
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 7:47 am
by 1over137
Here is a response from one Czech physicist:
http://motls.blogspot.com/2010/09/varia ... nt-is.html
He says that the variable fine structure constant is unlikely.
Re: One cosmological constant may vary through time/space?
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 7:53 am
by Silvertusk
Crude wrote:Note: My impression is that...
A) This is tremendously speculative. Far more evidence would be needed, and the paper author says he's not sure this could even be settled in his lifetime.
B) It would mean an end to the copernican principle.
C) It would only apply to, it seems, one of the constants. (Not sure how much that impacts fine tuning.)
Certainly agree with A.