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Astronomy, Volume 2, Issue 4 (December 2023) – 5 articles

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15 pages, 5525 KiB  
Article
Testing Cosmic Acceleration from the Late-Time Universe
by Jose Agustin Lozano Torres
Astronomy 2023, 2(4), 300-314; https://doi.org/10.3390/astronomy2040020 - 14 Dec 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1226
Abstract
We investigate the accelerated cosmic expansion in the late universe and derive constraints on the values of the cosmic key parameters according to different cosmologies such as ΛCDM, wCDM, and w0waCDM. We select 24 baryon acoustic oscillation [...] Read more.
We investigate the accelerated cosmic expansion in the late universe and derive constraints on the values of the cosmic key parameters according to different cosmologies such as ΛCDM, wCDM, and w0waCDM. We select 24 baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) uncorrelated measurements from the latest galaxy surveys measurements in the range of redshift z[0.106,2.33] combined with the Pantheon SNeIa dataset, the latest 33 H(z) measurements using the cosmic chronometers (CCs) method, and the recent Hubble constant value measurement measured by Riess 2022 (R22) as an additional prior. In the ΛCDM framework, the model fit yields Ωm=0.268±0.037 and ΩΛ=0.726±0.023. Combining BAO with Pantheon plus the cosmic chronometers datasets we obtain H0=69.76±1.71 km s1 Mpc1 and the sound horizon result is rd=145.88±3.32 Mpc. For the flat wCDM model, we obtain w=1.001±0.040. For the dynamical evolution of the dark energy equation of state, w0waCDM cosmology, we obtain wa=0.848±0.180. We apply the Akaike information criterion approach to compare the three models, and see that all cannot be ruled out from the latest observational measurements. Full article
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14 pages, 632 KiB  
Article
Frequency–Redshift Relation of the Cosmic Microwave Background
by Ralf Hofmann and Janning Meinert
Astronomy 2023, 2(4), 286-299; https://doi.org/10.3390/astronomy2040019 - 8 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3093
Abstract
We point out that a modified temperature–redshift relation (T-z relation) of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) cannot be deduced by any observational method that appeals to an a priori thermalisation to the CMB temperature T of the excited states in [...] Read more.
We point out that a modified temperature–redshift relation (T-z relation) of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) cannot be deduced by any observational method that appeals to an a priori thermalisation to the CMB temperature T of the excited states in a probe environment of independently determined redshift z. For example, this applies to quasar-light absorption by a damped Lyman-alpha system due to atomic as well as ionic fine-splitting transitions or molecular rotational bands. Similarly, the thermal Sunyaev-Zel’dovich (thSZ) effect cannot be used to extract the CMB’s T-z relation. This is because the relative line strengths between ground and excited states in the former and the CMB spectral distortion in the latter case both depend, apart from environment-specific normalisations, solely on the dimensionless spectral variable x=hνkBT. Since the literature on extractions of the CMB’s T-z relation always assumes (i) ν(z)=(1+z)ν(z=0), where ν(z=0) is the observed frequency in the heliocentric rest frame, the finding (ii) T(z)=(1+z)T(z=0) just confirms the expected blackbody nature of the interacting CMB at z>0. In contrast to the emission of isolated, directed radiation, whose frequency–redshift relation (ν-z relation) is subject to (i), a non-conventional ν-z relation ν(z)=f(z)ν(z=0) of pure, isotropic blackbody radiation, subject to adiabatically slow cosmic expansion, necessarily has to follow that of the T-z relation T(z)=f(z)T(z=0) and vice versa. In general, the function f(z) is determined by the energy conservation of the CMB fluid in a Friedmann–Lemaitre–Robertson–Walker universe. If the pure CMB is subject to an SU(2) rather than a U(1) gauge principle, then f(z)=1/41/3(1+z) for z1, and f(z) is non-linear for z1. Full article
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17 pages, 971 KiB  
Article
Schwarzschild Black Holes in Extended Spacetime with Two Time Dimensions
by Mechid Paiman, Horia Cornean and Christoph Köhn
Astronomy 2023, 2(4), 269-285; https://doi.org/10.3390/astronomy2040018 - 6 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1795
Abstract
Black holes are one of the most extreme phenomena in the Universe, bridging the gap between the realms of general relativity and quantum physics. Any matter that crosses the event horizon moves towards the core of the black hole, creating a singularity with [...] Read more.
Black holes are one of the most extreme phenomena in the Universe, bridging the gap between the realms of general relativity and quantum physics. Any matter that crosses the event horizon moves towards the core of the black hole, creating a singularity with infinite mass density—a phenomenon that cannot be comprehended within present theories of relativity and quantum physics. In this study, we undertake an investigation of non-rotating, non-charged Schwarzschild black holes in an extended spacetime framework with two time dimensions. To accomplish this, we extend Einstein’s field equations by one more temporal dimension. We solve the corresponding equations for a spherical central mass, which leads to an Abel-type equation for the 5D Schwarzschild metric. By exploring distinct solution classes, we present an approximate solution for the 5D metric. Our proposed solution maintains consistency with Schwarzschild’s 4D solution. Finally, we address the central black hole singularity and demonstrate a potential breakthrough, as our solution effectively avoids the singularity quandary, providing valuable insight into the fundamental properties of black holes in this augmented framework. Full article
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34 pages, 547 KiB  
Article
The Upgraded Planck System of Units That Reaches from the Known Planck Scale All the Way Down to Subatomic Scales
by Dimitris M. Christodoulou and Demosthenes Kazanas
Astronomy 2023, 2(4), 235-268; https://doi.org/10.3390/astronomy2040017 - 30 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1175
Abstract
Natural systems of units {Ui} need to be overhauled to include the dimensionless coupling constants {αUi} of the natural forces. Otherwise, they cannot quantify all the forces of nature in a unified manner. Thus, each force [...] Read more.
Natural systems of units {Ui} need to be overhauled to include the dimensionless coupling constants {αUi} of the natural forces. Otherwise, they cannot quantify all the forces of nature in a unified manner. Thus, each force must furnish a system of units with at least one dimensional and one dimensionless constant. We revisit three natural systems of units (atomic, cosmological, and Planck). The Planck system is easier to rectify, and we do so in this work. The atomic system discounts {G,αG}, thus it cannot account for gravitation. The cosmological system discounts {h,αh}, thus it cannot account for quantum physics. Here, the symbols have their usual meanings; in particular, αG is the gravitational coupling constant and αh is Dirac’s fine-structure constant. The speed of light c and the impedance of free space Z0 are resistive properties imposed by the vacuum itself; thus, they must be present in all systems of units. The upgraded Planck system with fundamental units UPS:={c,Z0,G,αG,h,αh,} describes all physical scales in the universe—it is nature’s system of units. As such, it reveals a number of properties, most of which have been encountered previously in seemingly disjoint parts of physics and some of which have been designated as mere coincidences. Based on the UPS results, which relate (sub)atomic scales to the Planck scale and the fine-structure constant to the Higgs field, we can state with confidence that no observed or measured physical properties are coincidental in this universe. Furthermore, we derive from first principles Koide’s K=2/3 enigmatic constant and additional analogous quark and vector boson constants. These are formal mathematical proofs that justify a posteriori the use of geometric means in deriving the quark/boson mass ladder. This ladder allows us to also calculate the Higgs couplings to the vector bosons and the Weinberg angle in terms of K only, and many of the “free” parameters of the Standard Model of particle physics were previously expected to be determined only from experiments. Full article
9 pages, 281 KiB  
Communication
Radio Pulsars Resonantly Accelerating Electrons
by Zaza N. Osmanov and Swadesh M. Mahajan
Astronomy 2023, 2(4), 226-234; https://doi.org/10.3390/astronomy2040016 - 13 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1214
Abstract
Based on the recently demonstrated resonant wave–wave process, it is shown that electrons can be accelerated to ultra-relativistic energies in the magnetospheres of radio pulsars. The energization occurs via the resonant interaction of the electron wave (described by the Klein–Gordon (KG) equation) moving [...] Read more.
Based on the recently demonstrated resonant wave–wave process, it is shown that electrons can be accelerated to ultra-relativistic energies in the magnetospheres of radio pulsars. The energization occurs via the resonant interaction of the electron wave (described by the Klein–Gordon (KG) equation) moving in unison with an intense electromagnetic (EM) wave; the KG wave/particle continuously draws energy from EM. In a brief recapitulation of the general theory, the high-energy (resonantly enhanced) electron states are investigated by solving the KG equation, minimally coupled to the EM field. The restricted class of solutions that propagate in phase with EM radiation (functions only of ζ=ωtkz) are explored to serve as a possible basis for the proposed electron energization in the radio pulsars. We show that the wave–wave resonant energization mechanism could be operative in a broad class of radio pulsars with periods ranging from milliseconds to normal values (∼1 s); this could drive the magnetospheric electrons to acquire energies from 100 s of TeVs (millisecond pulsars) to 10 ZeVs (normal pulsars). Full article
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